It is impossible to express the vizier Khacan’s distraction at this account of the insolence of his son.  “Ah!” cried he, beating his breast, and tearing his beard, “miserable son! unworthy of life! hast thou at last thrown thy father from the highest pinnacle of happiness into a misfortune that must inevitably involve thee also in his ruin? neither will the king be satisfied with thy blood or mine, to avenge the affront offered to his royal person.”

His lady endeavoured to comfort him.  “Afflict yourself no more,” said she; “I shall easily raise, with part of my jewels, ten thousand pieces of gold, and you may buy another slave, more beautiful and more worthy of the king.”

“Ah!” replied the vizier, “could you think me capable of being so extremely afflicted at losing ten thousand pieces of gold?  It is not that loss, nor the loss of all I am worth, for that I should not feel; but the forfeiting my honour, more precious than all the riches in the world, that distresses me.”  “However,” replied the lady, “a loss that can be repaired by money cannot be so very great.”

“How!” exclaimed the vizier; “do you not know that Saouy is my mortal enemy; and as soon as this affair comes to his knowledge, do you think he will not exult over me before the king? ‘Your majesty,’ will he not say to him, ‘is always talking of Khacan’s zeal and affection for your service; but see what a proof he has lately given of his claim to the regard you have hitherto shewn him.  He has received ten thousand pieces of gold to buy a slave; and, to do him justice, he has most honourably acquitted himself of that commission, by purchasing the most beautiful that ever eyes beheld; but, instead of bringing her to your majesty, he has thought it better to make a present of her to his son.  “Here, my son,” said he, “take this slave, since thou art more worthy of her than the king."’ Then, with his usual malice, will he not go on, ‘His son has her now entirely in his possession, and every day revels in her arms, without the least disturbance.  This, sir, is the exact truth, that I have done myself the honour of acquainting you with; and if your majesty questions my veracity, you may easily satisfy yourself.’  Do you not plainly see,” continued the vizier, “how, upon such a malicious insinuation as this, I am every moment liable to have my house forced by the king’s guards, and the fair Persian taken from me, besides a thousand other misfortunes that will unavoidably follow?” “Sir,” replied the vizier’s lady to her husband, “I am sensible the malice of Saouy is very great, and that, if he have but the least intimation of this affair, he will certainly give it a turn very disadvantageous to your interest; but how is it possible that he or any one else should know what has been privately transacted in your family?  Suppose it comes to the king’s ears, and he should ask you about it; cannot you say, that upon a strict examination you did not deem the slave so fit for