Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 5.djvu/320

286 that remained over, and thus she did day by day, till the bitch became fond of her and followed her wherever she went. One day she took a cake of dough and putting therein much pepper and butter, gave it to the bitch to eat, whereupon the animal’s eyes began to water, for the heat of the pepper, and she followed the old woman, weeping. When the lady saw this, she was amazed and said to the old woman, “O my mother, what ails this bitch to weep?” “O my daughter,” answered she, “hers is a strange story. Know that she was once a most lovely and accomplished young lady and a close friend of mine. A young man of the quarter fell in love with her and his passion increased on him, till he took to his pillow, and he sent to her many times, begging her to have compassion on him, but she refused, albeit I gave her good counsel, saying, ‘O my daughter, have pity on him and consent to that which he wishes.’ She gave no heed to my advice, until, at last, the young man’s patience failing him, he complained to one of his friends, who cast an enchantment on her and changed her into a bitch. When she saw what had befallen her and that there was none to pity her save myself, she came to my house and began to fawn on me and lick my hands and feet and whine and shed tears, till I recognized her and said to her, ‘How often did I not warn thee? But my advice profited thee nothing.’ However, I had compassion on her case and kept her by me; and as often as she bethinks herself of her former estate, she weeps thus.”

When the lady heard this, she was taken with great fear and said, “By Allah, O my mother, thou affrightest me with this thy story.” “Why so?” asked the old woman. “Because,” answered the lady, “a certain handsome young man fell in love with me and hath sent many times to me, but hitherto I have repelled him; and now I fear lest there befall me the like of what befell this bitch.” “O my