She made me sit down by her, and spoke to this purpose. Dear sir, said she, 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 to me. But to speak the truth, I was so far from being offended at it, that I was pleased when I heard it; 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 could make upon you; but I assure you, I no sooner saw you than I conceived tender thoughts of you. Since yesterday I have done nothing but think of what you said to me; and my eagerness to come and seek you this morning may convince you I have no small regard for you. --Madam, said I, transported with love and joy, nothing can be more agreeable to me than what I now hear. No passion can be greater than that with which I love you, since the happy moment I cast my eyes upon you; my eyes were then 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; I make no doubt of your sincerity, and you shall quickly be convinced of mine. Will you do me the honour to come to my home? or if you will, I will come to yours. --Madam, said I, I am a stranger lodged in a khan, which is not a proper place for the reception of a lady of your quality and me. It is more proper, madam, for me to come to you at your own home, if you will please to tell me where it is. The lady complying with this desire; I live, said she, in Devotion-Street; come 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 got up betimes, and put on my best clothes, with fifty pieces of gold in my purse. I mounted an ass I had bespoke the day before, and set out, accompanied by the man that let me the ass. When we came to Devotion-Street, 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, and sent him back; directing him to observe narrowly where he left me, and not to fail to come back with the ass next morning, to carry me back again to the khan of Mesrour.