“Your history is one of the most surprising,” said the pastry-cook; “but if you will follow my advice, you will let no man know those matters you have revealed to me, but patiently wait till heaven thinks fit to put an end to your misfortunes.  You shall be welcome to stay with me till then; and as I have no children, I will own you for my son, if you consent; after you are so adopted, you may freely walk the city, without being exposed any more to the insults of the rabble.”

Though this adoption was below the son of a grand vizier, Buddir ad Deen was glad to accept of the pastry-cook’s proposal, judging it the best thing he could do, considering his circumstances.  The cook clothed him, called for witnesses, and went before a notary, where he acknowledged him for his son.  After this, Buddir ad Deen lived with him under the name of Houssun, and learned the pastry-trade.

While this passed at Damascus, the daughter of Shumse ad Deen awoke, and finding Buddir ad Deen gone, supposed he had risen softly for fear of disturbing her, but would soon return.  As she was in expectation of him, her father the vizier. (who was vexed at the affront put upon him by the sultan) came and knocked at her chamber-door, to bewail her sad destiny.  He called her by her name, and she knowing him by his voice, immediately got up, and opened the door.  She kissed his hand, and received him with so much pleasure in her countenance, that she surprised the vizier. who expected to find her drowned in tears, and as much grieved as himself.  “Unhappy wretch!” said he in a passion, “do you appear before me thus? after the hideous sacrifice you have just consummated, can you see me with so much satisfaction?”

The new bride seeing her father angry at her pleasant countenance, said to him, “For God’s sake, sir, do not reproach me wrongfully; it is not the hump-back fellow, whom I abhor more than death, it is not that monster I have married.  Every body laughed him to scorn, and put him so out of countenance, that he was forced to run away and hide himself, to make room for a noble youth, who is my real husband.”  “What fable do you tell me?” said Shumse ad Deen, roughly.  “What!  Did not crook-back lie with you tonight?” “No, sir,” said she, “it was the youth I mentioned, who has large eyes and black eyebrows.”  At these words the vizier. lost all patience, and exclaimed in anger, “Ah, wicked woman! you will make me distracted!” “It is you, father,” said she, “that put me out of my senses by your incredulity.”  “So, it is not true,” replied the vizier, “that hump-back——­” “Let us talk no more of hump-back,” said she, “a curse upon hump-back.  Father, I assure you once more, that I did not bed with him, but with my dear spouse, who, I believe, is not far off.”

Shumse ad Deen went out to seek him, but, instead of seeing Buddir ad Deen, was surprised to find hump-back with his head on the ground, and his heels uppermost, as the genie had set him against the wall.  “What is the meaning of this?” said he; “who placed you thus?” Crookback, knowing it to be the vizier. answered, “Alas! alas! it is you then that would marry me to the mistress of a genie in the form of a buffalo.”