They lived together in this manner for several days.  The young merchant went not abroad, unless upon of the utmost consequence, and even for that took the time when the lady was reposing; for he could not prevail upon himself to lose a moment that might be spent in her company.  All his thoughts were taken up with his dear Fetnah, who, on her side, gave way to her inclination, confessed she had no less affection for him than he had for her.  However, fond as they were of each other, their respect for the caliph kept them within due bounds, which still heightened their passion.

Whilst Fetnah, thus snatched from the jaws of death, passed her time so agreeably with Ganem, Zobeide was not without some apprehensions in the palace of Haroon al Rusheed.

No sooner had the three slaves, entrusted with the execution of her revenge, carried away the chest, without knowing what it contained, or so much as the least curiosity to inquire (being used to pay a blind obedience to her commands), than she was seized with a tormenting uneasiness; a thousand perplexing thoughts disturbed her rest; sleep fled from her eyes, and she spent the night in contriving how to conceal her crime.  “My consort,” said she, “loves Fetnah more than ever he did any of his favourites.  What shall I say to him at his return, when he inquires of me after her?” Many contrivances occurred to her, but none were satisfactory.  Still she met with difficulties, and knew not where to fix.  There lived with her a lady advanced in years, who had bred her up from her infancy.  As soon as it was day, she sent for her, and having entrusted her with the secret, said, “My good mother, you have always assisted me with your advice; if ever I stood in need of it, it is now, when the business before you is to still my thoughts, distracted by a mortal anxiety, and to show me some way to satisfy the caliph.”

“My dear mistress,” replied the old lady, “it had been much better not to have run yourself into the difficulties you labour under; but since the thing is done, the best consolation is to think no more of it.  All that must now be thought of, is how to deceive the commander of the believers; and I am of opinion, that you should immediately cause a wooden image resembling a dead body to be carved.  We will shroud it up in linen, and when shut up in a coffin, it shall be buried in some part of the palace; you shall then immediately cause a marble mausoleum to be built, in the form of a dome, over the burial place, and erect a tomb, which shall be covered with embroidered cloth, and set about with great candlesticks and large wax tapers.  There is another thing,” added the old lady, “which ought not to be forgotten; you must put on mourning, and cause the same to be done by your own and Fetnah’s women, your eunuchs, and all the officers of the palace.  When the caliph returns, and sees you all and the palace in mourning, he will not fail to ask the occasion of it.