第18部分(第1/9 頁)

pulled apart the dead shah’s books； and rearranging the pages； began to

assemble new volumes。 His calligraphers replaced the epithet of “Always

Victorious Selahattin Khan” with that of “Victorious Fahir Shah” and his

miniaturists set about replacing the late Selahattin Khan—masterfully

portrayed on the most beautiful of manuscript pages—who was； as of that

moment； starting to fade from people’s memories； with the portrait of the

younger　Fahir　Shah。　Upon　entering　the　harem；　Fahir　Shah　had　no　difficulty　in

locating　the　most　beautiful　woman　there；　yet　instead　of　forcing　himself　upon

her；　because　he　was　a　refined　man　versed　in　books　and　artistry；　and　resolving

to win her heart； he engaged her in conversation。 Consequently； Neriman

Sultan；　the　late　Selahattin　Khan’s　belle　of　beauties；　his　teary…eyed　wife；　made

but　one　request　of　Fahir　Shah：　that　the　illustration　of　her　husband　in　a　version

of the romance Leyla and Mejnun； wherein Leyla was depicted as Neriman

Sultan　and　Mejnun　as　Selahattin　Khan；　not　be　altered。　In　at　least　this　one　page；

she　maintained；　the　immortality　that　her　husband　had　tried　to　attain　over　the

years　through　books　should　not　be　denied。　The　victorious　Fahir　Shah　bravely

granted　this　simple　request　and　his　masters　of　the　book　left　that　one　picture

alone。　T