But the sooth-sayers and magicians whom he consulted as to the child 's future all said that until he was twenty-two years old he stood in danger of being injured by an enemy . So , to make all safe , the sultan had confided the prince to his trusty friend Elfi Bey , and deprived himself of the happiness of seeing him for twenty-two years . All this the sultan told Labakan , and was much pleased by his appearance and dignified manner . When they reached their own country they were received with every sign of joy , for the news of the prince 's safe return had spread like wildfire , and every town and village was decorated , whilst the inhabitants thronged to greet them with cries of joy and thankfulness . All this filled Labakan 's proud heart with rapture , whilst the unfortunate Omar followed in silent rage and despair . At length they arrived in the capital , where the public rejoicings were grander and more brilliant than anywhere else . The queen awaited them in the great hall of the palace , surrounded by her entire court . It was getting dark , and hundreds of coloured hanging lamps were lit to turn night into day . The brightest hung round the throne on which the queen sat , and which stood above four steps of pure gold inlaid with great amethysts . The four greatest nobles in the kingdom held a canopy of crimson silk over the queen , and the Sheik of Medina fanned her with a peacock-feather fan . In this state she awaited her husband and her son . She , too , had not seen Omar since his birth , but so many dreams had shown her what he would look like that she felt she would know him among a thousand . And now the sound of trumpets and drums and of shouts and cheers outside announced the long looked for moment . The doors flew open , and between rows of low-bending courtiers and servants the king approached the throne , leading his pretended son by the hand . ` Here , ' said he , ` is he for whom you have been longing so many years . ' But the queen interrupted him , ` That is not my son ! ' she cried . ` That is not the face the Prophet has shown me in my dreams ! ' Just as the king was about to reason with her , the door was thrown violently open , and Prince Omar rushed in , followed by his keepers , whom he had managed to get away from . He flung himself down before the throne , panting out , ` Here will I die ; kill me at once , cruel father , for I can not bear this shame any longer . '
Everyone pressed round the unhappy man , and the guards were about XXXXX seize him , when the queen , who at first was dumb with surprise , sprang up from her throne .
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