It is not an hour
since she went from hence. She came here in so disconsolate a
state, that the sight of her was enough to have drawn tears from
my eyes, if she had not told me her affliction. All my women, who
wept with me, can bear me witness, and tell you also that I made
her a present of a hundred pieces of gold and a piece of brocade;
the grief which you found me in, was on account of the death of
her husband; and just at the instant you entered, I was going to
send you a compliment of condolence."

At these words of Zobeide, the caliph cried out in a fit of
laughter, "This, madam, is a strange piece of obstinacy; but,"
continued he seriously, "you may depend upon Nouzhatoul-aouadat's
being dead." "I tell you no, sir," replied Zobeide sharply; "it
is Abou Hassan that is dead, and you shall never make me believe
otherwise."

Upon this the caliph's anger rose in his countenance. He seated
himself on the sofa at some distance from the princess, and speaking
to Mesrour, said, "Go immediately, see which it is, and bring me word;
for though I am certain that it is Nouzhatoul-aouadat, I would rather
take this method than be any longer obstinately positive about the
matter, though of its certainty I am perfectly satisfied." No sooner
had the caliph commanded than Mesrour was gone. "You will see,"
continued he, addressing himself to Zobeide, "in a moment, which of us
is right." "For my part," replied Zobeide, "I know very well that I am
in the right, and you will find it to be Abou Hassan." "And for
myself," returned the caliph, "I am so sure that it is
Nouzhatoul-aouadat, that I will lay you what wager you please that
Abou Hassan is well."

"Do not think to come off so," said Zobeide; "I accept your
wager, and I am so well persuaded of his death, that I would
willingly lay the thing dearest to me in the world against what
you will, though it were of less value. You know what I have in
my disposal, and what I value most; propose the bet, and I will
stand to it."

"Since it is so," said the caliph, "I will lay my garden of
pleasures against your palace of paintings, though the one is
worth much more than the other." "Is the question at present,"
replied Zobeide, "if your garden is more valuable than my palace?
That is not the point. You have made choice of what you thought
fit belonging to me, as an equivalent against what you lay; I
accept the wager, and that I will abide by it, I take God to
witness." The caliph t