as I am one who keepeth counsel.  I conjure thee by an oath not to hide from me aught of thy lady’s affairs; for haply Allah shall help me to further her wishes and make easy by my hand that which is hard.”  When the slave-girl heard these words she said, “O my lord, indeed a secret is not lost whereof thou art the secretist; nor shall any affair come to naught for which thou strivest.  Know that my heart inclineth to thee and would interest thee with my tidings, but do thou give me the letter.”  Then she told him the whole story, adding, “Allah is witness to whatso I say.”  Quoth he, “Thou hast spoken truly, for I am acquainted with the root of the matter.”  Then he told her his tale of Ali bin Bakkar and how he had learned his state of mind; and related to her all that had passed from first to last, whereat she rejoiced; and they two agreed that she should take the letter and carry it to Ali and return and acquaint the jeweller with all that happened.  So he gave her the letter and she took it and sealed it up as it was before, saying, “My mistress Shams al-Nahar gave it to me sealed; and when he hath read it and given me its reply, I will bring it to thee.”  Then she took leave and repaired to Ali bin Bakkar, whom she found waiting, and gave him the letter.  He read it and writing a paper by way of reply, gave it to her; and she carried it to the jeweller, who tore asunder the seal[FN#206] and read it and found written therein these two couplets,

“The messenger, who kept our commerce hid, *
     Hath failed, and showeth wrath without disguise;[FN#207]
Choose one more leal from your many friends *
     Who, truth approving, disapproves of lies.

“To proceed:  Verily, I have not entered upon perfidy * nor have I abandoned fidelity * I have not used cruelty * neither have I out off lealty * no covenant hath been broken by me * nor hath love-tie been severed by me * I have not parted from penitence * nor have I found aught but misery and ruin after severance * I know nothing of that thou avouchest * nor do I love aught but that which thou lovest * By Him who knoweth the secret of hidden things none discover I have no desire save union with my lover and my one business is my passion to conceal * albeit with sore sickness I ail. * This is the exposition of my case and now all hail!” When the jeweller read this letter and learnt its contents he wept with sore weeping, and the slave-girl said to him, “Leave not this place till I return to thee; for he suspecteth me of such and such things, in which he is excusable; so it is my desire to bring about a meeting between thee and my mistress, Shams al-Nahar, howsoever I may trick you to it.  For the present I left her prostrate, awaiting my return with the reply.”  Then she went away and the jeweller passed the night with a troubled mind.  And when day dawned he prayed his dawn-prayer and sat expecting the girl’s coming; and behold, she came in to him rejoicing with