Early the next morning he went and hired a decent house, to which he conveyed her in a covered litter, and did not cease to attend upon her in all her commands for twenty days, she supplying him with money to purchase necessaries.

It is proper now to mention, that the lady bought by the fisherman in the chest was the favourite mistress of the sultan:  having deserted for her all his other women, they had become envious; but the sultana, who, before the arrival of Koout al Koolloob (for such was her name) had presided over the haram, was more mortified than the rest, and had resolved to effect her removal.  For this a favourable opportunity soon occurred, owing to the sultan’s departure for twenty days upon a hunting excursion.  In a day or two after his absence, the sultana invited Koout al Koolloob to an entertainment, and having mixed a strong soporific in some sherbet, presented it her to drink.  The effect of the potion was instantaneous, and she sunk into a trance; when the sultana putting her into the chest, commanded it to be given to a broker, and sold without examination of the contents, for a hundred deenars; hoping, that whoever might be the purchaser, he would be so fascinated with the charms of the beautiful Koout al Koolloob, as to enjoy his good fortune in secrecy; and that she should thus get rid of a rival without the crime of assassination.

When the sultan returned from his excursion, immediately on entering the palace he inquired for his favourite; when the sultana entering with affected sadness, said, “Alas! my lord, the beautiful and affectionate Koout al Koolloob, unable to bear the pangs of absence, three days after your departure fell sick, and having lingered for seven days, was gathered to the mercy of the Almighty.”  The sultan, on hearing this, burst into an agony of grief, and exclaimed, “There is no asylum or refuge but with God; from God we came, and to God we must return.”  He was overcome with affliction, and remained the whole night involved in melancholy.  In the morning he sent for his vizier, and commanded him to look out for a spot on the bank of the river for the erection of a building in which he might sit retired, and meditate on his beloved Koout al Koolloob.

The vizier replied, “To hear is to obey;” and taking with him an architect, fixed upon a pleasant spot, on which he ordered him to mark out a space of ninety yards in length and seventy in breadth for the intended building.  The necessary materials, of stone and marbles, were soon collected, and the work was begun upon; which the minister for two days superintended in person.  On the third the sultan came to view the progress.  He approved of the plan, and said, “It is truly beautiful; but, alas! only worthy of the residence of Koout al Koolloob;” after which he wept bitterly.  Seeing the distress of the sultan, his vizier said, “My lord, be resigned under distress; for the wise have written, ‘Be moderate when prosperity occurs, and when calamity afflicts thee exercise patience.’”