it with her forehead; then raising herself up, she wished my brother all manner of happiness, and thanked him for his civility.  Being meanly clad, and very humble to him, he thought she asked alms, upon which he offered her two pieces of gold.  The old woman stepped back in a sort of surprise, as if my brother had done her an injury.  Heavens! said she, what is the meaning of this?  Is it possible, sir, said she, that you take me for an impudent beggar?  Did you think I came so boldly into your house to ask alms?  Take back your money; I have no need of it, thanks to Heaven!  I belong to a young lady of this city, who is a charming beauty, and very rich; she does not let me want for any thing.

My brother was not cunning enough to perceive the craft of the old woman, who only refused the two pieces of gold that she might catch more.  He asked her if she could not procure him the honour of seeing her lady.  With all my heart, replied she, she will be very well satisfied to marry, and to put you in possession of her estate, by making you master of her person.  Take up your money, and follow me.  My brother being ravished with his good luck of finding so great a sum of money, and almost at the same time a beautiful and rich wife, his eyes were shut to all other considerations; so that he took his five hundred pieces of gold, and followed the old woman.  She walked before him, and he followed at a distance, to the gate of a great house, where she knocked.  He came up to her just as a young Greek slave opened the gate.  The old woman made him enter first, went across a court very well paved, and introduced him into a hall, the furniture of which confirmed him in the good opinion he had conceived of the mistress of the house.  While the old woman went to acquaint the lady, he sat down, and, the weather being hot, pulled off his turban, and laid it by him.  He speedily saw the young lady come in, whose beauty and rich apparel perfectly surprised him.  He got up as soon as he saw her.  The lady, with a smiling countenance, prayed him to sit down again, and placed herself by him.  She told him she was very glad to see him; and, after having spoken some engaging words, said, We do not sit here at our conveniency.  Come, give me your hand.  At these words, she presented her’s, and carried him into an inner chamber, where she entertained him for some time; then she left him, bidding him stay, and she would be with him in a moment.  He expected her; but, instead of the lady, came in a great black slave, with a scimitar in his hand; and looking upon my brother with a terrible aspect, said to him fiercely, What have you to do here?  Alnaschar was so full of fear at the sight of the slave, that he had no power to answer.  The black stripped him, carried off his gold, and gave him several cuts with his scimitar.  My unhappy brother fell to the ground, where he lay without motion, though he had still the use of his senses.  The black, thinking him to be dead, asked for salt; the Greek slave brought