Page:Tales from the Arabic, Vol 2.djvu/187

 THE NINTH OFFICER’S STORY.

A certain singing-woman was fair of favour and high in repute, and it befell one day that she went out a-pleasuring. As she sat, behold, a man lopped of the hand stopped to beg of her, and he entered in at the door. Then he touched her with his stump, saying, “Charity, for the love of God!” but she answered, “God open [on thee the gate of subsistence]!” and reviled him. Some days after this, there came to her a messenger and gave her the hire of her going forth. So she took with her a handmaid and an accompanyist; and when she came to the appointed place, the messenger brought her into a long passage, at the end whereof was a saloon. So (quoth she) we entered and found none therein, but saw the [place made ready for an]