To Ayesha, Isfahan was one solid delight. The silks of the bazaar appealed to her woman's craving in their delicate coloring. She bought hugely of orange and magenta and glorious purple, while Ishak watched and grumbled that it was against all reason to let a handsome slave buy in the bazaar. Her ears were alert for every whisper of passing gossip, and Isfahan did not lack whispers. All this was much more exciting than sitting alone in a deserted garden. Even Ishak relished his new importance—he hired a pair of Dailamite swordsmen to follow them about for appearance's sake, when he was not sitting in majesty at the gate of Omar's new house. His master was now the solitary favorite of Malikshah, and the entrance to his house was crowded with dignitaries who had favors to seek. Their horses and grooms could be seen waiting from the hour of sunrise until after the last prayer. Ishak's cup was full the day that the Sipah-silar, the Commander of all the armies, sent his chamberlain with a request, and Ishak kept the chamberlain waiting until Omar had finished reading a book.
