This was enough to make the caliph reflect.  He plainly perceived, that if what he had heard was true, his favourite must be innocent, and that he had been too hasty in giving such orders against Ganem and his family.  Being resolved to be rightly informed in an affair which so nearly concerned him in point of equity, on which he valued himself, he immediately returned to his apartment, and that moment ordered Mesrour to repair to the dark tower, and bring Fetnah before him.

By this command, and much more by the caliph’s manner of speaking, the chief of the eunuchs guessed that his master designed to pardon his favourite, and take her to him again.  He was overjoyed at the thought, for he respected Fetnah, and had been much concerned at her disgrace; therefore flying instantly to the tower, “Madam,” said he to the favourite, with such an air as expressed his satisfaction, “be pleased to follow me; I hope you will never more return to this melancholy abode:  the commander of the faithful wishes to speak with you, and I draw from this a happy omen.”

Fetnah followed Mesrour, who conducted her into the caliph’s closet.  She prostrated herself before him, and so continued, her face bathed in tears.  “Fetnah,” said the caliph, without bidding her rise, “I think you charge me with violence and injustice.  Who is he, that, notwithstanding the regard and respell he had for me, is in a miserable condition?  Speak freely, you know the natural goodness of my disposition, and that I love to do justice.”

By these words the favourite was convinced that the caliph had heard what she had said, and availed herself of so favourable an opportunity to clear Ganem.  “Commander of the true believers,” said she, “if I have let fall any word that is not agreeable to your majesty, I most humbly beseech you to forgive me; but he whose innocence and wretched state you desire to be informed of is Ganem, the unhappy son of Abou Ayoub, late a rich merchant of Damascus.  He saved my life from a grave, and afforded me a sanctuary in his house.  I must own, that, from the first moment he saw me, he perhaps designed to devote himself to me, and conceived hopes of engaging me to admit his love.  I guessed at this, by the eagerness which he shewed in entertaining me, and doing me all the good offices I so much wanted under the circumstances I was then in; but as soon as he heard that I had the honour to belong to you, ‘Ah, madam,’ said he, ‘that which belongs to the master is forbidden to the slave.’  From that moment, I owe this justice to his virtue to declare, his behaviour was always suitable to his words.  You, commander of the true believers, well know with what rigour you have treated him, and you will answer for it before the tribunal of God.”