Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 8.djvu/40

28 pay him frequent visits and talk long with him and gainsay him not in whatsoever he shall bid thee; so haply that may betide, [as] of chance, for which I would fain contrive.’ ‘I hear and obey,’ answered Mesrour and went out from her, with a heart on fire for love.

When her husband came home, she rejoiced in him and bade him welcome; but he looked in her face and seeing it pale and sallow, (for she had washed it with saffron, making usage therein of one of women’s arts,) asked her how she did. She replied that she had been sick, she and her women, from the time of his setting out on his journey, and said, ‘Verily, our hearts have been troubled for thee by reason of the length of thine absence.’ And she went on to complain to him of the misery of separation and to weep copious tears, saying, ‘Hadst thou but a companion with thee, my heart had not suffered all this anxiety for thee. So, God upon thee, O my lord, travel not again without a companion and keep me not without news of thee, that my heart and mind may be at rest concerning thee!’ ‘With all my heart,’ answered he. ‘Thy counsel is good, and by thy life, it shall be as thou wishest.’

Then he took some of his goods and carrying them to his shop, opened it and sat down to sell in the bazaar. Presently up came Mesrour and saluting him, sat down by his side and talked with him awhile. Then he pulled out a purse and taking forth gold, handed it to the Jew and said, ‘Give me the worth of this money in various kinds of drugs and spices, that I may sell them in my shop.’ ‘I hear and obey,’ answered he and gave him what he sought. Mesrour continued to pay him frequent visits, till, one day, the merchant said to him, ‘I have a mind to take me a man to partner in trade.’ ‘And I also,’ replied Mesrour, ‘desire to take a partner; for my father was a merchant in the land of Yemen and left me great