fficiently to discover charms which dazzled the
sight.

"They sat down upon a sofa, asked for the richest stuffs, bargained
with me, and bought them for three thousand crowns. By this bargain,
from calculation, I was a gainer of five hundred crowns. The goods
were folded up, and, by the orders of one of the women who appeared
mistress, were carried away by slaves. I was preparing to hold out my
hand for payment, when the young lady began to speak.

"'Halechalbe,' said she to me, 'I have brought no money with me; but
be not uneasy about what is owing to you: I will return in a few days
and bring it with me, at which time I intend to make very considerable
purchases from you.'

"'The other woman then spoke.

"'Madam,' said she, 'do you speak to a son of the chief of trade, a
man of acknowledged opulence, and whose worth is known to the Caliph
himself, as if you supposed that he would not reckon it an honour to
give so trifling a credit to a lady like you?'

"The discourse of this woman, the impression made upon me by the
beautiful eyes of her mistress, in consequence of the derangement of
her veil, and my natural timidity, prevented me not only from
venturing to ask payment, but even from insisting to know the name of
the lady to whom I gave credit. She left me, after saluting me in a
very graceful manner; and I remained at my door, fixed like a post,
without taking the precaution to cause a slave to follow her, and
observe the place of her abode.

"When I was alone, the imprudence of which I had been guilty presented
itself to my mind in the strongest colours. To whom had I given my
goods? Could I forget, after the lessons I had received from my
father, that Bagdad swarmed with adventurers, who could appear in any
form and assume any tone? Everything, even the beautiful eyes which
she had allowed me to see, then became suspicious. I believed myself
cheated out of my goods, and returned to my father's house, trembling
for the reproaches which I thought I had brought upon myself.

"My mother soon perceived my distress. She well knew how to draw from
me a confession of the cause, and endeavoured, as much as she could,
to calm my apprehensions.

"'The merchant who knows not how to lose,' said she, 'deserves not to
gain. If you are embarrassed in your accounts with your father, my
purse will supply the defect.'

"I returned next day to my shop, hurt at being duped and at the loss
which I had sustained. I had some