Balsora? Poor child!
the loss you might have sustained was not nearly equal in my
estimation to the danger which you have run and the fatigues you have
undergone.'

"'Father,' said I, still keeping up before the neighbours the story
which I had thought it convenient to adopt, 'I know not whether our
correspondent is to fail, but I will deliver to you securities
sufficient to remove every fear. There is a diamond to put in your
turban; here is one for the hilt of your poniard; another for the
handle of your scimitar, and a bracelet for my mother. I believe that
this is a full equivalent for the sum which we may lose by him.'

"They again embraced me, without asking any further explanation; the
weeds of mourning soon disappeared, and every one was dressed in his
festival robes. The house was filled with music; a thousand tapers
shed their light, and the friends of my father and mother assembled to
enjoy a splendid entertainment. The evening and night were spent by
the company in amusement and joy.

"Next morning I thought it my duty to eradicate from the mind of my
parents those opinions which, in order to deceive the public, prudence
had made me establish the evening before. I related to them the
circumstances of my marriage, and besought them to keep it secret, as
my happiness depended on its being concealed. Everything increased
their astonishment, and the rich jewels which I had brought them from
my wife were speaking proofs.

"'He must have married the daughter of a genie,' said my mother.

"'Such nuptials,' said my father, 'are celebrated without a Cadi.'

"They knew not what to think; but they saw me happy, and they were
satisfied.

"I proposed to my parents to resume my trade. They were delighted to
find that fortune had not deprived me of economy and diligence, and
next day I again appeared in my shop. The quarter in which I lived
expressed their happiness at seeing me again. As I was no longer
directed by the hope of gain, I was perfectly easy and disinterested
in my dealings, and brought to my shop all the people of Bagdad. In
the evening I returned as usual to my father's house.

"On the evening preceding the seventh day, I informed my father that I
was again to disappear. He endeavoured to get my place filled up by an
intelligent clerk, who was bound to conduct himself according to my
principles. It was easy to account for my being a second time absent,
by pretending that I had some business abroad