misery, and at the end to a betrothal with
a maiden as different from the one I sought as day from night. And
shall I open you only when I have lost all hope to attain my desire?
Well, let us see what it contains."

With these words he pulled out the golden key and unlocked the box;
but he let it fall to the earth with a joyous cry, for scarcely had he
opened it when the curious butterfly flew out, hovered in the sunshine
over the flowers, and soon settled on one of the poppies. He quickly
snatched off his turban, and covered with it the butterfly and the
flowers. When he raised it, a figure was underneath, and before him
stood his pleasant playfellow.

"Are you truly she? Do I really see you at last?" he cried,
astonished.

"I am truly she," she answered. "Have you quite forgotten me, that you
have allowed so long a time to elapse without asking after me? But
what have you done with your turban? Let us see."

She took it from his head, sought in the folds, and pulled out the
little bag with the talisman.

"Oh, oh!" cried she, returning his turban, "do you carry such things
about with you? You will not want it any more: I will keep it." And
she sprang forward.

He ran after her and caught her, begging her to return his pouch,
explaining that it contained a talisman which had hitherto preserved
him from every danger.

"Well," said she, when he paused, "and the only error is, that you
have met with me again to-day."

She assured him that she would never return the talisman, and began
many games with him as they had done in the garden at Balsora. At
dinner-time he asked her to go into the palace to take some
refreshment. She looked at him with a scornful laugh, and said, "I? Go
under a roof--sit to table with you to partake of meats prepared from
the flesh of animals and the flour of wheat? What can you mean? Do you
not recollect the fig that we ate together? It still nourishes me; but
I know that you need more."

She went to a neighbouring bush, plucked a white blossom, and offered
it to him. "There, drink honey," said she.

When he took the flower, it changed into a silver-gilt goblet filled
with delicious drink. He drank, and felt himself quite refreshed,
strengthened, and satisfied. They again played many childish games
together, and the maiden always invented new pastimes. The day passed
by, and Jussuf did not perceive how the hours flew away: the sun was
just sinking; then his playfellow sprang over a