“The slave who was sent by my brother seemed unwilling to name what was required of me, saying that his master was afraid I should not like to grant the request.  I urged him to speak freely, and he then told me the favourite declared nothing would make her amends for the loss of the mirror but the fellow-vase to that which she had bought from Saladin.  It was impossible for me to hesitate; gratitude for my brother’s generous kindness overcame my superstitious obstinacy, and I sent him word I would carry the vase to him myself.

“I took it down this evening from the shelf on which it stood; it was covered with dust, and I washed it, but, unluckily, in endeavouring to clean the inside from the remains of the scarlet powder, I poured hot water into it, and immediately I heard a simmering noise, and my vase, in a few instants, burst asunder with a loud explosion.  These fragments, alas! are all that remain.  The measure of my misfortunes is now completed!  Can you wonder, gentlemen, that I bewail my evil destiny?  Am I not justly called Murad the Unlucky?  Here end all my hopes in this world!  Better would it have been if I had died long ago!  Better that I had never been born!  Nothing I ever have done or attempted has prospered.  Murad the Unlucky is my name, and ill-fate has marked me for her own.”

CHAPTER III

The lamentations of Murad were interrupted by the entrance of Saladin.  Having waited in vain for some hours, he now came to see if any disaster had happened to his brother Murad.  He was surprised at the sight of the two pretended merchants, and could not refrain from exclamations on beholding the broken vase.  However, with his usual equanimity and good-nature, he began to console Murad; and, taking up the fragments, examined them carefully, one by one joined them together again, found that none of the edges of the china were damaged, and declared he could have it mended so as to look as well as ever.

Murad recovered his spirits upon this.  “Brother,” said he, “I comfort myself for being Murad the Unlucky when I reflect that you are Saladin the Lucky.  See, gentlemen,” continued he, turning to the pretended merchants, “scarcely has this most fortunate of men been five minutes in company before he gives a happy turn to affairs.  His presence inspires joy:  I observe your countenances, which had been saddened by my dismal history, have brightened up since he has made his appearance.  Brother, I wish you would make these gentlemen some amends for the time they have wasted in listening to my catalogue of misfortunes by relating your history, which, I am sure, they will find rather more exhilarating.”

Saladin consented, on condition that the strangers would accompany him home and partake of a social banquet.  They at first repeated the former excuse of their being obliged to return to their inn; but at length the sultan’s curiosity prevailed, and he and his vizier went home with Saladin the Lucky, who, after supper, related his history in the following manner:—­