But the agreeable manner and contrast in which all these were exposed
for sale gratified the eye more than even the costly articles
themselves. It was not, therefore, to be wondered at that the crowd in
his warehouse, in so great and rich a city, was very numerous.

It had already become a custom for people to apply to Jussuf if they
wished to buy anything which had come in fashion with the wealthy
citizen, either on account of its intrinsic value or of its skilful
workmanship. Could they find the required goods as fine or as
beautiful at another magazine, still they always preferred to go to
Jussuf, even if they paid him more dearly for them. They felt
confident that they should find everything more genuine, more
handsome, and more tasteful there than at any other merchant's. This,
however, may have been only a favourable prepossession; but it is
nevertheless certain, that in no other warehouse were so many objects,
alike useful and ornamental, collected together, as in that of Jussuf.

And as his business flourished more and more, so his riches increased
from day to day. At the same time his cares and exertions in watching
after the number of men whom he employed, his zeal in the equipment of
his ships, and in the forwarding and dispatching of his caravans,
increased in equal measure.

He had continued his business in this way for several years, and had
altogether neglected his health through his perseverance and
unflinching attention, when he felt at once that his usual strength
was declining, and that he should soon become exhausted unless he
permitted himself at times to take some recreation. He therefore very
willingly took the opportunity which offered itself accidentally about
this time of buying a fine estate. It was situated only a few miles
from the town, by the side of a stream, in a country as pleasant as it
was fruitful, combining means for hunting and for fishing; and the
price was so moderate that he resolved on the purchase without much
consideration. He purposed to detach himself for a few weeks from his
business, and to devote himself to pleasure and repose in the quiet
and calm of his country residence. He caused a new and elegant country
house to be built by a skilful architect on an eminence, instead of
the old one, surrounded by a large pleasant artificial garden. As all
was settled and prepared, he shut up his warehouse at the end of every
week early enough for him to ride over. There he would