When I was seated, the lady began to chat and joke with me, saying, “What think you of my appearance and my beauty, do you judge me worthy of your affection? shall I be your partner and you mine?” When I had heard these words, I replied, “How, dear lady, dare I presume, who am not worthy to be your servant, to arrive at such an honour?” Upon this, she said, “Young man, my words have no evasion in them; be not discouraged, or fearful of returning me an answer, for my heart is devoted to thy love.”  I now perceived, my lord, that the lady was anxious to marry me; but could not conceive on what account, or who could have given her intelligence concerning me.  She continued to shew me so many pleasing attentions, that at length I was emboldened to say, “Lady, if your words to me are sincere, according to the proverb, no time is so favourable as the present.”  “There cannot,” said she,” be a more fortunate day than this for our union.”  Upon this I replied, “My dear lady, how can I allot for you a proper dowry?” “The value of the cloth you intrusted to the old lady, who is my mother,” answered she, “is sufficient.”  “That cannot be enough,” rejoined I.  “Nothing more shall be added,” exclaimed the lady; “and my intention is this instant to send for the cauzee and witnesses, and I will choose a trustee, that they may unite us without delay.  We will celebrate our nuptials this very evening, but upon one condition.”  “What is that?” replied I. She answered, “That you bind yourself not to address or hold conversation with any woman but myself.”  My lord, I was eager to be in possession of so beautiful a woman, and therefore said to her, “I agree, and will never contradict thee either by my words or actions.”  She then sent for the cauzee and witnesses, and appointed a trustee, after which we were married.  After the ceremony, she ordered coffee and sherbet, gave money to the cauzee, a dress of honour to her trustee, and they departed.

I was lost in astonishment, and said to myself, “Do I dream, or am I awake?” She now commanded her damsels to empty the warm bath, fill it afresh, and prepare cloths and necessaries for bathing.  When they had done as she desired, she ordered the eunuchs in waiting to conduct me to the hummaum, and gave them a rich dress.  They led me into an elegant apartment, difficult for speech to describe.  They spread many-coloured carpets, upon which I sat down and undressed; after which I entered the hummaum, and perceived delightful odours from sandal wood, of comorin, and other sweets diffusing from every part.  Here they seated me, covered me with perfumed soaps, and rubbed me till my body became bright as silver; when they brought the basins, and I washed with warm water, after which they gave me rose-water, and I poured it over me.  They next brought in sweet-smelling salves, which I rubbed over me, and then repaired to the hummaum, where I found a royal dress, in which the eunuchs arrayed me; and after perfuming me with incense of sandal wood, brought in confections, coffee, and sherberts of various sorts, with which I refreshed myself.  I then left the bath with my attendants, who shewed me into the grand hall of the palace, which was spread with most magnificent carpets, stools, and cushions.  Here the lady met me, attired in a new habit, more sumptuous than I had seen her in before.