She came straight to my shop.  “I have made you wait some time,” said she, “but here is your money at last; carry it to the banker, and see that it is all good and right.”  The eunuch who carried the money went along with me to the banker, and we found it quite right.  I returned, and had the happiness of conversing with the lady till all the shops of the bazaar were open.  Though we talked but of ordinary things, she gave them such a turn, that they appeared new and uncommon; and convinced me that I was not mistaken in admiring her wit at our first interview.

As soon as the merchants had arrived and opened their shops, I carried to the respective owners the money due for their stuffs, and was readily intrusted with more, which the lady had desired to see.  She chose some from these to the value of one thousand pieces of gold, and carried them away as before without paying; nay, without speaking a word, or informing me who she was.  What distressed me was the consideration that while at this rate she risked nothing, she left me without any security against being made answerable for the goods in case she did not return.  “She has paid me,” thought I, “a considerable sum; but she leaves me responsible for a greater, Surely she cannot be a cheat.  The merchants do not know her, they will all come upon me.”  In short, my love was not so powerful as to stifle the uneasiness I felt, when I reflected upon the circumstances in which I was placed.  A whole month passed before I heard any thing of the lady again; and during that time my alarm increased.  The merchants were impatient for their money, and to satisfy them, I was going to sell off all I had, when one morning the lady returned with the same equipage as before.

“Take your weights,” said she, “and weigh the gold I have brought you.”  These words dispelled my fear, and inflamed my love.  Before we counted the money, she asked me several questions, and particularly if I was married.  I answered I never had been.  Then reaching out the gold to the eunuch, “Let us have your interposition,” said she, “to accommodate our matters.”  Upon which the eunuch fell a laughing, and calling me aside, made me weigh the gold.  While I was thus occupied, the eunuch whispered in my ear, “I know by your eyes you love this lady, and I am surprised that you have not the courage to disclose your passion.  She loves you more ardently than you do her.  Do not imagine that she has any real occasion for your stuffs.  She only makes this her presence to come here, because you have inspired her with a violent passion.  It was for this reason she asked you if you were married.  It will be your own fault, if you do not marry her.”  “It is true,” I replied, “I have loved her since I first beheld her; but I durst not aspire to the happiness of thinking my attachment could meet her approbation.  I am entirely hers, and shall not fail to retain a grateful sense of your good offices in this affair.”