As soon as she came out of the bath, the fair Persian, a thousand times more beautiful than she had appeared to Khacan when he bought her, went to visit his lady, who at first hardly knew her.  The fair Persian gracefully kissed her hand, and said, “Madam, I know not how you like me in this dress you have been pleased to order for me; but your women, who tell me it becomes me so extremely well they should scarcely know me, certainly flatter me.  From you alone I expect to hear the truth; but, if what they say be really so, I am indebted to you, madam, for the advantage it has given me.”

“Oh! my daughter,” cried the vizier’s lady, transported with joy, “you have no reason to believe my women have flattered you; I am better skilled in beauty than they; and, setting aside your dress, which becomes you admirably well, your beauty is so much improved by the bath, that I hardly knew you myself.  If I thought the bath was warm enough, I would take my turn; for I am now of an age to require its frequent use.”  “Madam,” replied the fair Persian, “I have nothing to say to the undeserved civilities you have been pleased to shew me.  As for the bath, it is in fine order; and if you design to go in, you have no time to lose, as your women can inform you.”

The vizier’s lady, considering that she had not bathed for some days, was desirous to avail herself of that opportunity; and accordingly acquainted her women with her intention, who immediately prepared all things necessary for the occasion.  The fair Persian withdrew to her apartment; and the vizier’s lady, before she went to bathe, ordered two little female slaves to stay with her, with a strict charge that if Noor ad Deen came, they should not give him admittance.

While the vizier’s lady was bathing, and the fair slave was alone in her apartment, Noor ad Deen came in, and not finding his mother in her chamber, went directly towards the fair Persian’s, and found the two little slaves in the antechamber.  He asked them where his mother was?  They told him in the bath.  “Where is the fair Persian, then?” demanded Noor ad Deen.  “In her chamber,” answered the slaves; “but we have positive orders from your mother not to admit you.”

The entrance into the fair Persian’s chamber being only covered with a piece of tapestry, Noor ad Deen went to lift it up, in order to enter, but was opposed by the two slaves, who placed themselves before it, to stop his passage.  He presently caught them both by the arms, and, thrusting them out of the antechamber, locked the door upon them.  They immediately ran with loud lamentations to the bath, and with tears in their eyes, told their lady, that Noor ad Deen, having driven them away by force, had gone into the fair Persian’s chamber.

The vizier’s lady received the account of her son’s presumption with the greatest concern.  She immediately left the bath, and dressing herself with all possible speed, came directly to the fair Persian’s chamber; but before she could get thither, Noor ad Deen had gone away.