He had not sat long when there approached towards him a masculinely looking old woman of disagreeable countenance, at sight of whom Mazin was alarmed.  The matron guessing that he was in fear of her, said to him, “What is thy name, what are thy wants? art thou of this country?  Inform me; be not afraid or apprehensive, for I will request of God that I may be the means of forwarding thy wishes.”  On hearing these words the heart of Mazin was encouraged, and he rerelated to her his adventures from first to last.  When she had heard them, she knew that he must be husband to the sister of her mistress, who was queen of the islands of Waak al Waak, and said, “Thy object is a difficult one, but I will assist thee all in my power.”

The old woman now conducted Mazin through by-paths to the capital of the island, and led him unperceived in the darkness of night, when the inhabitants had ceased to pass through the streets, to her own house.  She then set before him refreshments, and having eaten and drunk till he was satisfied, he praised God for his arrival; when the matron informed him concerning his wife, that she had endured great troubles and afflictions since her separation, and repented sincerely of her flight.  Upon hearing this, Mazin wept bitterly, and fainted with anguish.  When revived by the exertions of the old woman, she comforted him by promises of speedy assistance to complete his wishes, and left him to his repose.

Next morning the old woman desiring Mazin to wait patiently for her return, repaired to the palace, where she found the queen and her sisters in consultation concerning the wife of Mazin, and saying, “This wretch hath espoused a man, by whom she has children, but now she is returned, we will put her to death after divers tortures.”  Upon the entrance of the old lady they arose, saluted her with great respect, and seated her, for she had been their nurse.  When she had rested a little, she said, “Were you not conversing about your unfortunate sister? but can ye reverse the decrees of God?” “Dear nurse,” replied they, “no one can avoid the will of heaven, and had she wedded one of our own nature there would have been no disgrace, but she has married a human being of Bussorah, and has children by him, so that our species will despise us, and tauntingly say, ‘Your sister is a harlot.’  Her death is therefore not to be avoided.”  The nurse rejoined, “If you put her to death your scandal will be greater than hers, for she was wedded lawfully, and her offspring is legitimate; but I wish to see her.”  The eldest sister answered, “She is now confined in a subterraneous dungeon;” upon which the nurse requested permission to visit her, which was granted, and one of the sisters attended to conduct her to the prison.

The nurse, on her arrival at the prison, found the wife of Mazin in great distress from the cruelty of her sisters.  Her children were playing about her, but very pallid, from the closeness of their confinement.  On the entrance of the nurse she stood up, made her obeisance, and began to weep, saying, “My dear nurse, I have been long in this dungeon, and know not what in the end may be my fate.”  The old woman kissed her cheeks, and said, “My dear daughter, God will bring thee relief, perchance on this very day.”