Prince Amgrad approached the lady in a much better humour than when he left her, on finding that the house belonged to a man of quality, who had received him so courteously.  As he sat down to table again, he said, Madam, I beg a thousand pardons for my rudeness; I was vexed that my slave should tarry so long:  the rascal shall pay for it when he comes:  I will teach him to use me so another time.

Let not that trouble you, said the lady, if he is guilty of any faults, let him pay for it; do not think of him; we can enjoy ourselves without him, I warrant.  Amgrad continued at the table with the more pleasure, being under no apprehensions at the consequence of the lady’s indiscretion, who ought not to have broken open the door, had it even been Amgrad’s own house.  They drank and laughed, and drank again, till Bahader arrived, disguised as a slave.

Bahader entered like one who feared his master’s displeasure for staying out when he had company with him:  he fell down at his feet, and kissed the ground, to implore his clemency; and, when he had done, stood behind him with his hands across, in expectation of his commands.

Sirrah! said Amgrad, with a fierce tone and a fiery look, is there such a slave as thou in all the world?  Where have you been?  What have you been doing, that you came no sooner?  My lord, replied Bahader, I ask your pardon; I was endeavouring to do as you ordered me, and could not despatch it sooner:  besides, I did not think you would come home so early.

You are a rascal! said Amgrad; and I shall bang your sides for you, to teach you to lie, and to fail me another time.  He then rose up, took a stick, and gave him two or three blows, but so slightly, that he hardly felt it; after which he sat down to table again.

The lady, not satisfied with the chastisement Amgrad had bestowed on him, also rose, took the stick, and struck Bahader so unmercifully, that the tears came into his eyes.  Amgrad, offended at such freedom, and knowing that the pretended slave was not a proper object of resentment, cried out, It is enough:  but she continued her rude discipline, regardless of the prince’s intercession:  Let me alone with him, said she; I will punish him severely, and I warrant that he will be more expeditious in future.  But, repeating her blows, Amgrad rose from the table, and forced the stick out of her hand; which, however, she did not give up without some difficulty.  When she found that she could beat Bahader no longer, she sat down, and railed at and cursed him.

Baliader wiped his eyes, and stood behind his fictitious master to fill out wine.  When he saw they had done eating and drinking, he took away the cloth, and put every thing in its place; and, night coming on, lighted up the lamps.  As often as he passed the lady, she muttered and threatened him, and gave him abusive language, to Amgrad’s great disliking, who would have hindered her, if he could.  When