ger its master. If thy own breast cannot keep
thy counsel, how canst thou expect the breast of another to be more
faithful?'"

"Permit me, I entreat thee, to say, that I also have read in another a
maxim, which I have always happily practiced: 'Conceal thy secret,' he
says, 'only from such as are known to be indiscreet, and who will
abuse thy confidence; but make no difficulty in discovering it to
prudent men, because they know how to keep it.' The secret, then, with
me, is as safe as if locked up in a cabinet, the key of which is lost
and the door sealed."

The porter, notwithstanding his rhetoric, must, in all probability,
have retired in confusion if Amina had not taken his part, and said to
Zobeide and Safie, "My dear sisters, I conjure you to let him remain;
he will afford us some diversion. Were I to repeat to you all the
amusing things he addressed to me by the way, you would not feel
surprised at my taking his part."

At these words of Amina the porter fell on his knees, kissed the
ground at her feet, and raising himself up, said, "Most beautiful
lady, you began my good fortune to-day, and now you complete it by
this generous conduct. I cannot adequately express my acknowledgments.
As to the rest, ladies," said he, addressing himself to all the three
sisters, "since you do me so great an honor, I shall always look upon
myself as one of your most humble slaves."

When he had spoken these words he would have returned the money he had
received, but Zobeide ordered him to keep it.

"What we have once given," said she, "we never take back. We are
willing, too, to allow you to stay on one condition, that you keep
secret and do not ask the reason for anything you may see us do. To
show you," said Zobeide, with a serious countenance, "that what we
demand of you is not a new thing among us, read what is written over
our gate on the inside."

The porter read these words, written in large characters of gold: "He
who speaks of things that do not concern him, shall hear things that
will not please him."

"Ladies," said he, "I swear to you that you shall never hear me utter
a word respecting what does not relate to me, or wherein you may have
any concern."

These preliminaries being settled, Amina brought in supper, and after
she had lighted up the room with tapers made of aloewood and
ambergris, which yield a most agreeable perfume as well as a delicate
light, she sat down with her sisters and the porter. They beg