Fetnah’s heart beat at these words of the jeweller, and she felt a sudden emotion, for which she could not account: “Shew me,” said she to the syndic, “into the sick man’s room; I should be glad to see him.” The syndic conducted her, and whilst she was going thither, Ganem’s mother said to Jalib al Koolloob, “Alas! daughter, wretched as that sick stranger is, your brother, if he be living, is not perhaps in a more happy condition.”
The caliph’s favourite coming into the chamber of the sick stranger, drew near the bed, in which the syndic’s slaves had already laid him. She saw a young man, whose eyes were closed, his countenance pale, disfigured, and bathed in tears. She gazed earnestly on him, her heart beat, and she fancied she beheld Ganem; but yet she would not believe her eyes. Though she found something of Ganem in the objets she beheld, yet in other respects he appeared so different, that she durst not imagine it was he that lay before her. Unable, however, to withstand the earnest desire of being satisfied, “Ganem,” said she, with a trembling voice, “is it you I behold?” Having spoken these words, she stopped to give the young man time to answer, but observing that he seemed insensible; “Alas! Ganem,” added she, “it is not you that I address! My imagination being overcharged with your image, has given to a stranger a deceitful resemblance. The son of Abou Ayoub, however indisposed, would know the voice of Fetnah.” At the name of Fetnah, Ganem (for it was really he) opened his eyes, sprang up, and knowing the caliph’s favourite; “Ah! madam,” said he, “by what miracle” He could say no more; such a sudden transport of joy seized him that he fainted away. Fetnah and the syndic did all they could to bring him to himself; but as soon as they perceived he began to revive, the syndic desired the lady to withdraw, lest the sight of her should heighten his disorder.
The young man having recovered, looked all around, and not seeing what he sought, exclaimed, “What is become of you, charming Fetnah? Did you really appear before my eyes, or was it only an illusion?” “No, sir,” said the syndic, “it was no illusion. It was I that caused the lady to withdraw, but you shall see her again, as soon as you are in a condition to bear the interview. You now stand in need of rest, and nothing ought to obstruct your taking it. The situation of your affairs is altered, since you are, as I suppose, that