At length the fortieth arrived. The youth, when he was getting up, said to me in a transport of joy which he could not restrain, “Behold me now, prince, on the fortieth day, and thank God and your good society, I am not dead. My father will not fail very soon to acknowledge his obligation, and furnish you with every means and opportunity in his power which may be necessary for you to return to your kingdom. But while we are waiting,” added he, “I beg of you to have the goodness to warm some water that I may wash my whole body in the portable bath. I wish to cleanse myself and change my dress, in order to receive my father with the greater propriety.” I put the water on the fire, and when it was just warm I filled the portable bath. The young man got in: I both washed and rubbed him myself. He then got out, and went into the bed I had prepared for him, and I threw the cover over him. After he had reposed himself and slept for some time, he said to me, “Oblige me, my prince, and bring me a melon and some sugar. I want to eat something to refresh me.” I chose one of the melons which remained, and put it on a plate, and as I could not find a knife to cut it, I asked the youth if he knew where there was one. “There is one,” he replied, “upon the cornice over my head.” I looked up and perceived one there; but I strained myself so much in endeavouring to get it, that at the very moment I had it in my hand, my foot by some means got so entangled in the covering of the bed, that I unfortunately fell down on the young man and pierced him to the heart with the knife. He expired the very same instant. At this sight I cried most bitterly; I beat my head and breast. I tore my habit, and threw myself on the ground in grief and despair, “Alas!” I cried, “a few hours only remained for him to be out of the danger against which he sought an asylum; and at the very moment I thought the danger past, I am become the assassin, and have caused the prediction to come to pass. But I ask thy pardon, O Lord,” I added, raising my head and hands towards heaven, “and if I am guilty of his death, I desire to live no longer.” After this misfortune death would have been very acceptable to me, and I should have met it without dread. But we are neither afflicted with evil nor blessed with good fortune always at the moment we may desire it.