Having this opportunity of conversing with her, I made the best use of it, and mentioned to her the love I had for her; but she rose and left me very abruptly, as if she had been angry with the declaration I had made.  I followed her with my eyes as long as she was in sight; and as soon as she was out of sight, I took leave of the merchant, and walked out of the bezestein, without knowing where I went.  I was musing upon this adventure, when I felt somebody pulling me behind, and turning about to see who it was, I had the agreeable surprise to perceive it was the lady’s slave.  My mistress, said the slave, I mean the young lady you just spoke with in the merchant’s shop, wants to speak one word with you; so if you please to give yourself the trouble to follow me, I will conduct you.  Accordingly I followed her, and found my mistress staying for me in a banker’s shop.  She made me sit down by her, and spoke to this purpose; Dear sir, said she, do not be surprised that I left you so abruptly:  I thought it not proper, before that merchant, to give a favourable answer to the discovery you made of your affection for me.  But to speak the truth, I was so far from being offended at it, that I was pleased when I heard it; and I account myself infinitely happy in having a man of true merit for my lover.  I do not know what impression the first sight of me could make upon you; but I assure you that I no sooner saw you than I had tender thoughts of you.  Since yesterday I have thought only of what you said to me; and the haste I made to come and find you out this morning may convince you that I have no small regard for you.  Madam, said I, transported with love and joy, nothing can be more agreeable to me than what I now hear; no passion can be greater than that with which I love you; since the happy moment I cast my eyes upon you, my eyes were dazzled with so many charms, that my heart yielded without resistance.  Do not let us trifle away the time in needless discourse, said she, interrupting me:  I make no doubt of your sincerity, and you shall quickly be convinced of mine.  Will you do me the honour to come to my home? or, if you will, I will come to yours.  Madam, said I, I am a stranger, lodging in a khan, which is not a proper place for the reception of a lady of your quality and merit.  It is more proper, madam, for me to come to you at your home, if you will please to tell me where it is.  The lady complying with this desire, I live, said she, in Devotion-street; come next Friday after noon prayers, and ask for the house of Abbon Schamam, surnamed Bercount, late master of the emirs; there you will find me.  This said, we parted, and I passed the next day in great impatience.

On Friday I got up betimes, and put on my best clothes, with fifty pieces of gold in my pocket:  thus prepared, I mounted an ass, which I had bespoken the day before, and set out, accompanied by the man that lent me the ass.  When we came to Devotion-street, I directed the owner of the ass to inquire for the house I wanted:  he accordingly inquired, and conducted me to it.  I paid him liberally, and sent him back directing him to observe narrowly where he left me, and not to fail to come back with the ass to-morrow morning to carry me back again.