My father and my uncles left me in Damascus, and pursued their journey.  After their departure, I used mighty caution not to lay out my money idly; but, at the same time, I took a stately house, all of marble, adorned with pictures of gold, and a pure branched work, and excellent water-works.  I furnished it, not so richly indeed as the magnificence of the place deserved, but at least handsomely enough for a young man of my condition.  It had formerly belonged to one of the principal lords of the city, whose name was Modoun Adalraham; but then was the property of a rich jewel merchant, to whom I paid for it only two sherriffs[Footnote:  A sherriff is the same with a sequin.  This word is in the ancient authors.] a month.  I had a good large number of domestics, and lived honourably; sometimes I gave entertainments to such people as I was acquainted with, and sometimes I went and was treated by them.  Thus did i spend my time at Damascus, waiting for my father’s return; no passion disturbed my repose, and my only employment was conversing with people of credit.

One day as I sat taking the cool air at my gate, a very fine lady came to me, and asked if I did not sell stuffs? but had no sooner spoken the words than she went into my house.  When I saw that the lady had gone into the house, I rose, and having shut the gate, carried her into a hall, and prayed her to sit down.  Madam, said I, I have had stuffs that were fit to be shown to you, but I have them not now, for which I am very sorry.  She took off the veil that covered her face, and made a beauty sparkle in my eyes, which affected me with such emotions as I never felt before.  I have no occasion for stuffs, said she; I only come to see you, and pass the evening with you:  If you are pleased with it, all I ask of you is a light collation.

Transported with such happy luck, I ordered the folks to bring us several sorts of fruits, and some bottles of wine, They served us nimbly; and we ate and drank, and made merry, till midnight.  In short, I had not passed a night so agreeably all the while I had been there.  Next morning I would have put ten sherriffs in the lady’s hands, but she refused them:  I am not come to see you, said she, from a design of interest; you affront me:  I am so far from receiving money, that I desire you to take money of me, or else I will see you no more.  In speaking this, she put her hand into her purse, took out ten sherriffs, and forced me to take them, saying, You may expect me three days hence after sunset.  Then she took leave of me, and I felt that when she went, she carried my heart along with her.

She did not fail to return at the appointed hour three days after; and I did not fail to receive her with all the joy of a person that waited impatiently for her arrival.  The evening and night we spent as before; and next day at parting, she promised to return the third day after.  She did not go, however, without forcing me to take ten sherriffs more.