The fair Persian was extremely surprised to see the vizier’s lady enter her chamber in tears, and in the utmost confusion.  “Madam,” said she, “may I presume to ask you the occasion of your concern; and what accident has happened in the bath, to make you leave it so soon?”

“What!” cried the vizier’s lady, “can you so calmly ask that. question, after my son has been with you alone in your chamber?  Can there happen a greater misfortune to him or me?”

“I beseech you, madam,” replied the fair slave, “what prejudice can this action of Noor ad Deen’s do to you or him?”

“How,” returned the vizier’s lady, “did not my husband tell you that you were designed for the king, and sufficiently caution you to beware of our son?”

“I have not forgotten that, madam,” replied the fair Persian; “but your son came to tell me the vizier his father had changed his purpose, and instead of reserving me for the king, as he first designed, had made him a present of my person.  I easily believed him; for, oh! think how a slave as I am, accustomed from my infant years to the laws of servitude, could or ought to resist him!  I must own I did it with the less reluctance, on account of the affection for him, which the freedom of our conversation and daily intercourse has excited in my heart.  I could without regret resign the hope of ever being the king’s, and think myself perfectly happy in spending my whole life with Noor ad Deen.”

At this discourse of the fair Persian’s, the vizier’s lady exclaimed, “Would to God that what you say were true!  I should hear it with joy; but, believe me, Noor ad Deen has deceived you; for it is impossible his father should ever make him such a present.  Ah! wretched youth, how miserable has he made me! and more especially his father, by the dismal consequences we must all expect to share with him!  Neither my prayers nor tears will be able to prevail, or obtain a pardon for him; for as soon as his father hears of his violence to you, he will inevitably sacrifice him to his resentment.”  At these words she wept bitterly; and the slaves, who were as much alarmed for Noor ad Deen as herself, joined in her tears.

Shortly after the vizier Khacan entered; and being surprised to find his lady and her slaves all in tears, and the fair Persian very melancholy asked the reason; but instead of answering him his wife and the slaves continued weeping and lamenting.  This astonished him still more; at last, addressing himself to his wife, “I command you,” said he, “to let me know the reason of your tears, and to tell me the whole truth.”

The disconsolate lady could no longer refuse to satisfy her husband.  “Sir,” said she, “first promise not to use me unkindly on account of what I shall inform you, since I assure you, that what has happened has not been occasioned by any fault of mine.”  Without waiting for his answer, she then proceeded, “whilst I was bathing with my women, your son seizing that fatal opportunity to ruin us both, came hither, and made the fair Persian believe, that instead of reserving her for the king, you had given her to him as a present.  I will not say what he did after such a wicked falsehood, but shall leave you to judge.  This is the cause of my affliction, on your account, and his, for whom I want confidence to implore your pardon.”