Midnight came. The noise of the crowd became frenzy. The guests’ minds clouded with wine and their speech grew slurred. The bridegroom rose from his place. He was a middle-aged man, rough in appearance. Intoxication had dulled his senses. He walked among the guests, exchanging greetings and accepting congratulations.

At that moment the bride beckoned a girl to come and sit beside her. The bride looked around her like one who wished to confess a ghastly secret. She leaned toward the girl and whispered these words in her ear in a shaking voice, “I entreat you, my friend, by the affections that have bound our souls since we were children. I entreat you by all that is dear to you in this life, by the secrets of your heart, by the love that has touched our spirits and made them bright! I entreat you by the joys of your heart and by the torments of mine. Go this moment to Saleem and ask him to come secretly out to the garden and to wait for me there among the willows. Plead with him for me, Sosan, until he agrees. Remind him of days past. Beg him in the name of Love. Tell him, ‘She is wretched and blind.’ Tell him, ‘She is dying and wants to open her heart to you before the shadows enshroud her.’ Say to him, ‘She is perishing with misery and wants only to see the light of your eyes before the fires of Hell snatch her away.’ Tell him, ‘She is a sinner who seeks to confess her sins and beg your forgiveness.’ Hurry to him and plead with him for me! You need not fear that these swine will overhear you, for wine has blocked their ears and blinded their eyes.”

Sosan rose from beside the bride and went to speak with the wretched Saleem, still sitting alone. She began to implore him, whispering into his ear the words of her friend, the proofs of affection and sincerity plain to see in her features. He turned his head to listen but gave no word in reply. When she finished talking, he looked at her as a thirsty man might look at a cup of water high above him in the dome of the sky. In a low voice that might have come up from the depths of the earth, he answered her, “I will wait for her in the garden among the willows.”

He said these words and stood up to go into the garden.