stroy thee, as thou hast done my son.” At these words, he took the merchant in his arms, and having thrown him with his face on the ground, he lifted up his scimitar, in order to strike off his head.
Scheherazade, at this instant, perceiving it was day, broke off. “What a wonderful story,” said Dinarzade. “The conclusion,” answered Scheherazade, “is still more surprising, as you would confess if the Sultan would suffer me to live another day, and in the morning permit me to continue the relation.” Schah-riar, who had listened with interest to the narration, told her he would wait till to-morrow to order her execution, that she might finish her story. He arose, and having prayed, went to the council.
The grand vizier, in the meantime, was in a state of cruel suspense. Unable to sleep, he passed the night in lamenting the approaching fate of his daughter, whose executioner he was compelled to be. Dreading to meet the sultan, how great was his surprise in seeing him enter the council chamber without giving him the horrible order he expected!
The sultan spent the day, as usual, in regulating the affairs of his kingdom, and on the approach of night, retired with Scheherazade to his apartment, Dinarzade again sleeping at the foot of the couch.
The next morning, the sultan did not wait for Schehera-
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