Since the ride into the wilderness, from which he had returned beaten and robbed, he had, following the word of the Prophet from whom he had sought happiness, made many changes in his way of life.

Impossible as it had then seemed, much had become possible.

He had emancipated his slaves, broken up his harem, given the overflow of his possessions to the needy, and dispensed with all show.

And yet he was not happy--his heart was bare and empty.

He was pondering the matter when the shouting of the crowd reached him from the street.