his majesty’s use as you had at first thought her; that the merchant has cheated you; that, indeed, she has considerable beauty, but is by no means so accomplished as she had been represented.  The king will certainly believe what you say, and Saouy be vexed to the soul, to see all his malicious design of ruining you disappointed.  Take courage then, and, if you will follow my advice, send for all the brokers, tell them you do not like the fair Persian, and order them to be as expeditious as possible in procuring for you another slave.”

As this advice appeared rational to the vizier Khacan, and as his passion began to cool, he resolved to abide by it, but his indignation against his son remained as violent as ever.

Noor ad Deen did not make his appearance during the whole of that day, and not daring to hide himself among his young companions, lest his father should search for him in their houses, he went a little way out of town, and took sanctuary in a garden, where he had never been before, and where he was totally unknown.  He did not return home till it was very late, when he knew his father was in bed; and then his mother’s women, opening the door very softly; admitted him without any noise.  He quitted the house again next morning before his father was stirring; and this plan he pursued for a whole month, to his great mortification.  Indeed, the women never flattered him, but told him plainly, his father’s anger was not at all diminished, and that he protested if he came into his sight he would certainly kill him.

The vizier’s lady learnt from her women that Noor ad Deen slept every night in the house, but she could not summon resolution to supplicate her husband for his pardon.  At last, however, she ventured.  One day she said to him, “I have hitherto been silent, sir, not daring to take the liberty of talking to you about your son; but now give me leave to ask what you design to do with him?  It is impossible for a son to have acted more criminally towards a father than he has done, in depriving you of the honour and gratification of presenting to the king a slave so accomplished as the fair Persian.  This I acknowledge; but, after all, are you resolved to destroy him, and, instead of a light evil no more to be thought of, to draw upon yourself a far greater than perhaps you at present apprehend?  Are you not afraid that the malicious world, which inquires after the reason of your son’s absconding, may find out the true cause, which you are so desirous of concealing?  Should that happen, you would justly fall into a misfortune, which it is so much your interest to avoid.”

“Madam,” returned the vizier, “there is much reason in what you have urged; but I cannot think of pardoning our son, till I have mortified him as he deserves.”  “He will be sufficiently mortified,” replied the lady, “if you will only do what has just suggested itself to my mind.  Your son comes home every night after you have retired; he sleeps here, and steals out every morning before you are stirring.  Wait for his coming in to-night, make as if you designed to kill him, upon which I will run to his assistance, and when he finds he owes his life entirely to my prayers and entreaties, you may oblige him to take the fair Persian on what condition you please.  He loves her, and I am well satisfied the fair slave has no aversion for him.”