they passed by the shop of Buddir ad Deen Houssun, whom they
still found employed in making cream tarts, "I salute you sir," said
Agib; "do you know me? Do you remember you ever saw me before?" Buddir
ad Deen hearing these words, fixed his eyes upon him, and recognizing
him (such was the surprising effect of paternal love!), felt the same
emotion as when he saw him first; he was confused, and instead of
making any answer, continued a long time without uttering a word. At
length, recovering himself, "My lord," said he, "be so kind as to come
once more with your governor into my house, and taste a cream-tart. I
beg your lordship's pardon, for the trouble I gave you in following
you out of town; I was at that time not myself, I did not know what I
did. You drew me after you, and the violence of the attraction was so
soft, that I could not withstand it."

Agib, astonished at what Buddir ad Deen said, replied: "There is
an excess in the kindness you express, and unless you engage
under oath not to follow me when I go from hence, I will not
enter your house. If you give me your promise, and prove a man of
your word, I will visit you again to-morrow, since the vizier my
grandfather, is still employed in buying up rarities for a
present to the sultan of Egypt." "My lord," replied Buddir ad
Deen, "I will do whatever you would have me." This said, Agib and
the eunuch went into the shop.

Presently after, Buddir ad Deen set before them a cream-tart,
that was full as good as what they had eaten before; "Come," said
Agib, "sit down by me, and eat with us." Buddir ad Deen sat down,
and attempted to embrace Agib, as a testimony of the joy he
conceived upon sitting by him. But Agib pushed him away, desiring
him not to be too familiar. Buddir ad Deen obeyed, and repeated
some extempore verses in praise of Agib: he did not eat, but made
it his business to serve his guests. When they had done, he
brought them water to wash, and a very white napkin to wipe their
hands. Then he filled a large china cup with sherbet, and put
snow into it; and offering it to Agib, "This," said he, "is
sherbet of roses; and I am sure you never tasted better." Agib
having drunk of it with pleasure, Buddir ad Deen took the cup
from him, and presented it to the eunuch, who drank it all off at
once.

In fine, Agib and his governor having fared well, returned thanks
to the pastry-cook for their good entertainment, and moved
homewards, it being then late. When