When I saw that the lady had entered the house, I rose, and having shut the gate, conducted into a hall, and prayed her to sit down.  “Madam,” said I, “I have had stuffs fit to be strewn to you, but at present, I am sorry to say, I have none.”  She removed the veil from her face, and discovered such beauty as affected me with emotions I had never felt before.  “I have no occasion for stuffs,” replied she, “I only come to see you, and, if you please, to pass the evening in your company; all I ask of you is a light collation.”

Transported with joy, I ordered the servants to bring us several sorts of fruit, and some bottles of wine.  These being speedily served, we ate, drank, and made merry till midnight.  In short, I had not before passed a night so agreeably as this.  Next morning I would have put ten sherifs into the lady’s hands, but she drew back instantly.  “I am not come to see you,” said she, “from interested motives; you therefore do me wrong.  So far from receiving money from you, I must insist on your taking some from me, or else I will see you no more.”  In speaking this, she put her hand into her purse, took out ten sherifs, and forced me to take them, saying, “You may expect me three days hence after sun-set.  She then took leave of me, and I felt that when she went she carried my heart along with her.”

She did not fail to return at the appointed hour three days after; and I received her with all the joy of a person who waited impatiently for her arrival.  The evening and the night we spent as before; and next day at parting she promised to return the third day after.  She did not, however, leave me without forcing me to take ten sherifs more.

She returned a third time; and at that interview, when we were both warm with wine, she spoke thus:  “My dear love, what do you think of me?  Am I not handsome and agreeable?” “Madam,” I replied, “I think this an unnecessary question:  the love which I shew you ought to persuade you that I admire you; I am charmed to see and to possess you.  You are my queen, my sultaness; in you lies all the felicity of my life.”  “Ah!” returned she, “I am sure you would speak otherwise, if you saw a certain lady of my acquaintance, who is younger and handsomer than I am.  She is of such a pleasant lively temper, that she would make the most melancholy people merry:  I must bring her hither; I spoke of you to her, and from the account I have given of you she is dying with desire to see you.  She intreated me to procure her that pleasure, but I did not dare to promise her without speaking to you beforehand.”  “Madam,” said I, “do what you please; but whatever you may say of your friend, I defy all her charms to tear my heart from you, to whom it is so inviolably attached, that nothing can disengage it.”  “Be not too positive,” returned she; “I now tell you, I am about to put your heart to a severe trial.”

We continued together all night, and next morning at parting, instead of ten sherifs she gave me fifteen, which I was forced to accept.  “Remember,” said she, “that in two days’ time you are to have a new guest; pray take care to give her a good reception:  we will come at the usual hour.”  I had my hall put in great order, and a handsome collation prepared against they came.