Having this opportunity of conversing with her, I determined to improve it, and mentioned to her the love I had for her; but she rose and left me very abruptly, as if she had been angry with the declaration I had made.  I followed her with my eyes as long as she continued in sight; then taking leave of the merchant walked out of the bazaar, without knowing where I went.  I was musing on this adventure, when I felt somebody pulling me behind, and turning to see who it was, I was agreeably surprised to perceive it was the lady’s slave.  “My mistress,” said she, “I mean the young lady you spoke to in the merchant’s shop, wants to speak with you, if you please to give yourself the trouble to follow me.”  Accordingly I followed her, and found her mistress sitting waiting for me in a banker’s shop.

She made me sit down by her, and spoke to this purpose.  “Do not be surprised, that I left you so abruptly.  I thought it not proper, before that merchant, to give a favourable answer to the discovery you made of your affection for me.  But to speak the truth, I was so far from being offended at it, that it gave me pleasure; and I account myself infinitely happy in having a man of your merit for my lover.  I do not know what impression the first sight of me may have made on you, but I assure you, I had no sooner beheld you than I found my heart moved with the tenderest emotions of love.  Since yesterday I have done nothing but think of what you said to me; and my eagerness to seek you this morning may convince you of my regard.”  “Madam,” I replied, transported with love and joy, “nothing can be more agreeable to me than this declaration.  No passion can exceed that with which I love you.  My eyes were dazzled with so many charms, that my heart yielded without resistance.”  “Let us not trifle away the time in needless discourse,” said she, interrupting me; “make no doubt of your sincerity, and you shall quickly be convinced of mine.  Will you do me the honour to come to my residence?  Or if you will I will go to yours.”  “Madam,” I returned, “I am a stranger lodged in a khan, which is not the proper place for the reception of a lady of your quality.  It is more proper, madam, that I should visit you at your house; have the goodness to tell me where it is.”  The lady consented; “Come,” said she, “on Friday, which is the day after to-morrow, after noon-prayers, and ask for the house of Abon Schama, surnamed Bercour, late master of the emirs; there you will find me.”  This said, we parted; and I passed the next day in great impatience.

On Friday I put on my richest apparel, and took fifty pieces of gold in my purse.  I mounted an ass I had bespoken the day before, and set out, accompanied by the man who let me the ass.  I directed the owner of the ass to inquire for the house I wanted; he found it, and conducted me thither.  I paid him liberally, directing him to observe narrowly where he left me, and not to fail to return next morning with the ass, to carry me again to the khan of Mesrour.