in the science.  We met ofttimes at the Hammam as friends but, in asmuch as she was ill-mannered and ill-tempered, I declined further intimacy with her.  Think not that it sufficeth me to have made thee recover thy form as it was aforetime; nay, verily needs must I take due vengeance of her for the wrong she hath done thee.  And this will I do at thy hand, so shalt thou have mastery over her and find thyself lord of thine own house and home.[FN#269] Tarry here awhile until I come again.”  So saying the damsel passed into another room and I remained sitting and talking with her mother and praised her excellence and kindness towards me.  The ancient dame also related strange and rare deeds of wonder done by her with pure purpose and lawful means, till the girl returned with an ewer in hand and said, “O Sidi Nu’uman, my magical art doth tell me that Aminah is at this present away from home but she will return thither presently.  Meanwhile she dissembleth with the domestics and feigneth grief at severance from thee; and she hath pretended that, as thou sattest at meat with her, thou didst suddenly arise and fare forth on some weighty matter, when presently a dog rushed through the open door into the room and she drove it away with a staff.”  Then giving me a gugglet full of the water the maiden resumed, “O Sidi Nu’uman, go now to thine own house and, keeping this gugglet by thee, await patiently Aminah’s coming.  Anon she will return and seeing thee will be sore perplexed and will hasten to escape from thee; but before she go forth sprinkle some drops from this gugglet upon her and recite these spells which I shall teach thee.  I need not tell thee more; thou wilt espy with thine own eyes what shall happen.”  Having said these words the young lady taught me magical phrases which I fixed in my memory full firmly, and after this I took my leave and farewelled them both.  When I reached home it happened even as the young magician had told me; and I had tarried but a short time in the house when Aminah came in.  I held the gugglet in hand and she seeing me trembled with sore trembling and would fain have run away; but I hastily sprinkled some drops upon her and repeated the magical words, whereat she was turned into a mare—­the animal thy Highness deigned remark but yesterday.  I marvelled greatly to sight this transformation and seizing the mare’s mane led her to the stable and secured her with a halter.—­And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

         The end of the Six Hudred and Fifteenth Night.

Then said she:—­I have heard, O auspicious King, that Sidi Nu’uman continued his story saying:—­When I had secured the mare, I loaded her with reproaches for her wickedness and her base behaviour, and lashed her with a whip till my forearm was tired.[FN#270] Then I resolved within myself that I would ride her at full speed round the square each day and thus inflict upon her the justest penalty.—­Herewith Sidi Nu’uman held