I knocked at the door, and presently two little female slaves, white as snow, and neatly dressed came and opened it.  “Be pleased to come in, Sir, said they, “our mistress expects you impatiently; these two days she has talked of nothing but you.  I entered the court, and saw a pavilion raised seven steps, and surrounded with iron rails that parted it from a very pleasant garden.  Besides the trees which only embellished the place, and formed an agreeable shade, there was an infinite number of others loaded with all sorts of fruit.  I was charmed with the warbling of a great number of birds, that joined their notes to the murmurings of a fountain, in the middle of a parterre enamelled with flowers.  This fountain formed a very agreeable object; four large gilded dragons at the angles of the basin, which was of a square form, spouted out water clearer than rock-crystal.  This delicious place gave me a charming idea of the conquest I had made.  The two little slaves conducted me into a saloon magnificently furnished; and while one of them went to acquaint her mistress with my arrival, the other tarried with me, and pointed out to me the beauties of the hall.

I did not wait long in the hall, ere the lady I loved appeared, adorned with pearls and diamonds ; but the splendour of her eyes far outshone that of her jewels.  Her shape, which was now not disguised by the habit she wore in the city, appeared the most slender and delicate.  I need not mention with what joy we met once more; it far exceeded all expression.  When the first compliments were over, we sat down upon a sofa, and there conversed together with the highest satisfaction.  We had the most delicious refreshments served up to us; and after eating, continued our conversation till night.  We then had excellent wine brought up, and fruit adapted to promote drinking, and timed our cups to the sound of musical instruments, joined to the voices of the slaves.  The lady of the house sung herself, and by her songs raised my passion to the height.  In short, I passed the night in full enjoyment.

Next morning I slipped under the bolster of the bed the purse with the fifty pieces of gold I had brought with me, and took leave of the lady, who asked me when I would see her again.  “Madam,” said I, “I give you my promise to return this night.”  She seemed to be transported with my answer, and conducting me to the door, conjured me at parting to be mindful of my promise.

The same man who had carried me thither waited for me with his ass, which I mounted, and went directly to the khan; ordering the man to come to me again in the afternoon at a certain hour, to secure which, I deferred paying him till that time came.

As soon as I arrived at my lodging, my first care was to order my people to buy a lamb, and several sorts of cakes, which I sent by a porter as a present to the lady.  When that was done I attended to my business till the owner of the ass arrived.  I then went along with him to the lady’s house, and was received by her with as much joy as before, and entertained with equal magnificence.