merchants. You are all alike; you respect
no one." As she spoke, she rose up in anger, and walked out.
When I saw that the lady walked away, I felt interested on her behalf,
and called her back, saying, "Madam, do me the favour to return,
perhaps I can find a way to satisfy you both." She returned, saying, it
was on my account that she complied. "Buddir ad Deen," said I to the
merchant, "what is the price you must have for this stuff that belongs to
me?" "I must have," replied he, "eleven hundred dirhems, I cannot take
less." "Give it to the lady then," said I, "let her take it home with her; I
allow a hundred dirhems profit to yourself, and shall now write you a
note, empowering you to deduct that sum upon the produce of the other
goods you have of mine." In fine, I wrote, signed, and gave him the
note, and then delivered the stuff to the lady. "Madam," said I, "you
may take the stuff with you, and as for the money, you may either send
it to-morrow or the next day; or, if you will, accept it as a present from
me." "Pardon me," returned she, "I mean no such thing. You treat me
with so much politeness, that I should be unworthy to appear in the
world again, were I to omit making you my best acknowledgments.
May God reward you, by an increase of your fortune; may you live
many years after I am dead; may the gate of paradise be open to you
when you remove to the other world, and may all the city proclaim
your generosity."
These words inspired me with some assurance. "Madam," I replied, "I
desire no other reward for the service I have done you than the
happiness of seeing your face; which will repay me with interest." I had
no sooner spoken than she turned towards me, took off her veil, and
discovered to me a wonderful beauty. I became speechless with
admiration. I could have gazed upon her for ever; but fearing any one
should observe her, she quickly covered her face, and letting down the
crepe, took up the piece of stuff, and went away, leaving me in a very
different state of mind from that in which I had entered the shop. I
continued for some time in great confusion and perplexity. Before I
took leave of the merchant, I asked him, if he knew the lady; "Yes,"
said he, "she is the daughter of an emir."
I went back to the khan of Mesrour, and sat down to supper, but could
not eat, neither could I shut my eyes all the night, which seemed the
longest in my life. As soon as it was day I arose, in hopes of once more
beholding the object that disturbed my repose: and to engage her
affection, I dressed myself much richer than I had done the day before.
I had but just reached Buddir ad Deen's shop, when I saw the lady
coming in more magnificent apparel than before, and attended by her
slave. When she entered, she did not regard the merchant, but
addressing herself to me, said, "Sir, you see I am punctual to my word.
I am come for the express purpose of paying the sum you were so kind
as to pass your word for yesterday, though you had no knowledge of
me. Such uncommon generosity I shall never forget."
"Madam," said I, "you had no occasion to be in such haste; I was well
satisfied as to my money, and am sorry you should put yourself to so
much trouble." "I had been very unjust," answered she, "if I had abused
your generosity." With these words she put the money into my hand,
and sat down by me.
Having this opportunity of conversing with her, I determined to
improve it, and mentioned to her the love I had for her; but she rose and
left me very abruptly, as if she had been angry with the declaration I
had made. I followed her with my eyes as long as she continued in
sight; then taking leave of the merchant walked out of the bazaar,
without knowing where I went. I was musing on this adventure, when I
felt somebody pulling me behind, and turning to see who it was, I was
agreeably surprised to perceive it was the lady's slave. "My mistress,"
said she, "I mean the young lady you spoke to in the merchant's shop,
wants to speak with you, if you please to give yourself the trouble to
follow me." Accordingly I followed her, and found her mistress sitting
waiting for me in a banker's shop.
She made me sit down by her,
Continue reading on your phone by scaning this QR Code
Tip: The current page has been bookmarked automatically. If you wish to continue reading later, just open the
Dertz Homepage, and click on the 'continue reading' link at the bottom of the page.