He received her with all the expressions of profound respect.  When she sat down, being a little fatigued, she unveiled herself, and exhibited to the jeweller such beauty as convinced him that the prince of Persia was excusable in giving his heart to the caliph’s favourite.  Then she saluted the jeweller with a graceful air, and said to him, “I could not hear with what zeal you have engaged in the prince of Persia’s concerns and mine, without immediately determining to express my gratitude in person.  I thank heaven for having so soon made up to us the loss of Ebn Thaher.”

Schemselnihar said many other obliging things to the jeweller, after which she returned to her palace.  The jeweller went immediately to give an account of this visit to the prince of Persia; who said to him, as soon as he saw him, “I have expected you impatiently.  The trusty slave has brought me a letter from her mistress, but it does not relieve me.  Whatever the lovely Schemselnihar says, I dare not hope, and my patience is exhausted; I know not now what measures to pursue; Ebn Thaher’s departure reduces me to despair.  He was my only support:  in him I have lost every thing.  I had flattered myself with some hopes by reason of his access to Schemselnihar.”

After these words, which the prince spoke with so much eagerness, that he gave the jeweller no time to interrupt him, he said to the prince, “No man can take more interest in your affliction than I do; and if you will have patience to hear me you will perceive that I can relieve you.”  Upon this the prince became silent, and listened to him.  “I see,” said the jeweller, “that the only way to give you satisfaction is to devise a plan that will afford you an opportunity of conversing freely with Schemselnihar.  This I wish to procure you, and to-morrow will make the attempt.  You must by no means expose yourself to enter Schemselnihar’s palace; you know by experience the danger of that step.  I know a fitter place for this interview, where you will be safe.”  When the jeweller had finished, the prince embraced him with transports of joy.  “You revive,” said he, “by this promise, a wretched lover, who was condemned to die.  You have fully repaired the loss of Ebn Thaher; whatever you do will be well performed; I leave myself entirely to your conduct.”

After the prince had thus thanked him for his zeal, the jeweller returned home, and next morning Schemselnihar’s confidant came to him.  He told her that he had given the prince of Persia hopes that he should shortly see her mistress.  “I am come on purpose,” answered she, “to concert measures with you for that end.  I think this house will be convenient enough for their interview.”  “I could receive them very well here,” replied he, “but I think they will have more liberty in another house of mine where no one resides at present; I will immediately furnish it for their reception.”  “There remains nothing then for me to do,” replied the confidant, “but to bring Schemselnihar to consent to this.  I will go and speak to her, and return speedily with an answer.”