r.

"Your precious letter has had a great effect upon me, but not so
great as I could have wished. You endeavour to comfort me for the
loss of Ebn Thaher; alas! however sensible I am of this, it is
but the least of my troubles. You know these troubles, and you
know also that your presence alone can cure me. When will the
time come that I shall enjoy it without fear of a separation? How
distant does it seem to me! or shall we flatter ourselves that we
may ever see it? You command me to preserve myself; I will obey
you, since I have renounced my own will to follow only yours.
Adieu."

After the jeweller had read this letter, he returned it to the
confidant, who said, as she was going away, "I will desire my mistress
to put the same confidence in you that she did in Ebn Thaher. You
shall hear of me to-morrow." Accordingly, next day she returned with a
pleasant countenance. "Your very looks," said he to her, "inform me
that you have brought Schemselnihar to the point you wished." "It is
true," replied the confidant, "and you shall hear how I succeeded. I
found yesterday, on my return, Schemselnihar expecting me with
impatience, I gave her the prince of Persia's letter, and she read it
with tears in her eyes. When she had done, I saw that she had
abandoned herself to her usual sorrow. 'Madam,' said I to her, 'it is
doubtless Ebn Thaher's removal that troubles you; but suffer me to
conjure you in the name of God, to alarm yourself no farther on this
account. We have found another Ebn Thaher, who offers to oblige you
with equal zeal; and, what is yet more important, with greater
courage.' Then I spoke to her of you," continued the slave, "and
acquainted her with the motive which led you to the prince of Persia's
house. In short, I assured her that you would keep inviolably the
secret betwixt her and the prince of Persia, and that you were
resolved to favour their amour with all your might. She seemed to be
much relieved by my discourse. 'Ah! what obligations,' said she, 'are
the prince of Persia and I under to that honest man you speak of! I
must be acquainted with him and see him, that I may hear from his own
mouth what you tell me, and thank him for such unheard-of generosity
towards persons on whose account he is no way obliged to interest
himself. The sight of him will give me pleasure, and I shall omit
nothing to confirm him in those good sentiments. Fail not to bring him
to me to-morrow.' Therefore, sir, be so good as