aimed in the street a golden censer set with diamonds, to
be sold for two thousand sequins. I ordered a slave to call the crier.

"'Who is the proprietor of that censer?' said I to him.

"'It belongs,' answered he, 'to a young lady, whom you behold there;'
at the same time he pointed out a handsome and well-dressed woman, and
I desired him to bid her speak with me.

"The woman took the censer from the crier, gave him a reward, and
advanced towards me.

"'Madam,' said I, 'since this censer belongs to you, I know where to
place it; will you allow me to have it?'

"'Since it pleases you, Halechalbe,' said the lady, 'it is yours, and
I demand nothing in return.'

"'I am not accustomed,' answered I, 'to make such bargains.'

"'Nor I,' said the lady, 'to enjoy the happiness of making a present
to the most amiable and best-beloved of his sex. I have,' continued
she, 'for a long time past frequented your shop, unobserved, alas! by
you; but your figure and your manners enchanted me, and still enchant
me more and more. Since the censer pleases you, I reckon myself very
fortunate in having it in my power to present you with it.'

"'I will receive your present, madam,' said I, 'if you will accept
from me its value.'

"'Silver and gold,' said she, 'are of no account in my estimation.
The love which I bear you has deprived me of repose: do not treat me
with cruel disdain. A liking for me would do you no dishonour, for,
thank God! I may be proud of my descent. But if, despised by you, I
cannot aspire to the highest marks of your affection, let me have a
single kiss, and the censer shall be yours.'

"'I cannot agree,' replied I, 'that you should make so bad a bargain.
Take your money, or keep your censer. A kiss is no trading price.'

"'It is beyond price,' answered the lady, 'to one who dies of love. I
brought not this censer here to sell, but to give it to you; accept it
at the price mentioned, and you will save my life.'

"Venerable dervish, I will confess my weakness, and declare that I was
gained over by these flattering praises and this language of love. I
had no suspicions, and was unable to discover the features of the lady
through her veil. Overcome by self-love more than by her entreaties, I
retired into a dark part of the shop, and presented my cheek; but
instead of kissing it, she bit it with such force as made me cry out;
and I was left alone with the censer in my hand, my cheek bathed in
blood, and my counte