Having learnt these verses by heart, I took my leave of Abou Nouass and returned to Fadehat el Djemal. She was, as usual, alone. I gave a slight knock at her door; she came out at once, beautiful as the rising sun, and coming up to me, she said, "Oh! enemy of God, what business has brought you here to me at this time?"
I answered her, "O my mistress! a business of great importance."
"Explain yourself, and I will see whether I can help you," she said.
"I shall not speak to you about it until the door is locked," I answered.
"Your boldness to-day is very great," she said.
And I, "True, O my mistress! boldness is one of my qualities."
She then addressed me thus, "O enemy of yourself! O you most miserable of your race! If I were to lock the door, and you having nothing wherewith to satisfy my desires, what should I do with you? face of a Jew!"
"You will let me share your couch, and grant me your favours."
She began to laugh; and after we had entered |the house, she told a slave to lock the house door. As usual, I asked her to respond to my proposals; she then recited to me again the above mentioned verses. When she had finished I recited to her those which Abou Nouass had taught me.
As I proceeded I saw her move and more moved, I observed her giving way, to yawn, to stretch herself, to sigh. I knew now I should arrive at the desired result. When I had finished my member was in such a state of erection that it became like a pillar, still lengthening. When Fadehat el Djemal saw it in that condition she
