One Monday, as I sat in the shop of a merchant whose name was Bedreddin, a lady of quality, as one might easily perceive by her air, her habit, and her being attended by a female slave in neat clothes, came into the shop, and sat down by me:  her external appearance, joined to a natural grace that shone through all she did, inspired me with a longing desire to know her better.  I was at a loss to know whether she observed that I took pleasure in gazing upon her, but she tucked up the crape that hung down over the muslin which covered her face, and gave me an opportunity of seeing her large black eyes, which perfectly charmed me.  In fine, she screwed my love to its height by the agreeable sound of her voice, her genteel graceful carriage in saluting the merchant, and asking him how he did since she saw him last.  After entertaining him some time upon indifferent things, she informed him that she wanted a sort of stuff with a ground of gold; that he came to his shop as affording the best choice of any in all the bezestein, and if he had what she asked for, he would oblige her by showing them.  Bedreddin showed her several pieces, one of which she pitched upon, and he asked for it eleven hundred drams of silver.  I agree, said she, to give you so much, but I have not money enough about me, so I hope you will give me credit till to-morrow, and in the mean time allow me to carry off the stuff.  I shall not fail, added she, to send you to-morrow the eleven hundred drams I agreed for.  Madam, said Bedreddin, I would give you credit with all my heart, and allow you to carry off the stuff, if it were mine, but it belongs to that young man you see here, and this is the day on which we state our accounts.  Why, said the lady in a surprise, why do you offer to use me so?  Am not I a customer to your shop? and as often as I have bought of you, and carried home the things without paying ready money for them, did I ever fail to send you your money next morning?  Madam, said the merchant, it is true, but this very day I have occasion for money.  There, said she, throwing the piece at him, take your stuff; may God confound you and all other merchants:  you are all of you of one kidney; you respect nobody.  She then rose up in a passion, and walked out.

When I saw that the lady walked off, I found in my breast a great concern for her; so I called her back, saying, Madam, do me the favour to return; perhaps I can find a way to content you both.  In fine, back she came, saying, it was for the love of me that she complied.  Mr Bedreddin, said I to the merchant, what do you say, you must have for this stuff that belongs to me?  I must have eleven hundred drams; I cannot take less.  Give it to the lady then, said I, let her take it home with her; I allow a hundred drams profit to yourself, and shall now write you a note, empowering you to discount that sum upon the other goods you have of mine.  In fine, I wrote, signed, and delivered the note, and then handed the