ained from him, that instant, a lodging
in the palace, and a place of trust near his person, with great
appointments.

As to the jeweller, after being obliged to restore the pearls, he was
sentenced to receive two hundred strokes of the bastinado: the judge
received double that number, and was deposed from his office. Kaskas,
loaded with favours, thought fate reconciled to him for ever. He took
pleasure in hardening himself against his bad fortune, and was already
arranging the plans of that success which he promised himself in the
new office which he filled, when his curiosity laid a new snare for
him.

He discovered one day in the apartment which was allotted to him a
door covered up with a thin coat of plaster, which, from age, fell to
dust at the smallest touch. It required no effort to force this
passage--the door opened of itself. He entered, without reflecting,
into a rich apartment, to which he was an entire stranger, and found
himself, without knowing it, in the middle of the palace.

Scarcely had he made one step when the chief of the eunuchs observed
him, and without delay informed the King of it. The monarch instantly
came. The fragments of the plaster, which were still upon the ground,
appeared a proof that the door had been forced, and the astonishment
of Kaskas carried a complete conviction of his guilt.

"Unhappy man!" said the King to him, "is it thus you acknowledge my
favours and your obligations? My justice saved you when I believed you
innocent: guilty now, it condemns you to lose your sight."

The imprudent man, without daring to attempt any justification, was
instantly delivered over to the executioner, asking no other favour
than that they would put into his hands the eyes which were to be torn
out.

He carried them in his hand as he walked groping through the streets
of the capital.

"Behold," said he, "O ye who hear me, that which the unfortunate
Kaskas hath gained by hardening himself against the decrees of his
evil destiny, and despising the advice of his friends! Behold the lot
of the obstinate!"

* * * * *

Aladin having thus finished the history of the merchant, addressed
himself directly to Bohetzad.

"Sire, you have seen the effect of fortune's influence on the man
whose adventures I have now related. So long as his star was
propitious, he succeeded in everything; but whenever it changed, his
efforts to correct its malignity were fruitless. Th