they have never been before; and, as it is dark, and they know not where to lodge, they knocked at our door by chance; and pray us to show compassion, and to take them in. They care not where we put them, provided they obtain shelter. They are young and handsome; but I cannot, without laughing, think of their exact likeness to each other. My dear sisters, pray permit them to come in; they will amuse us and put us to little charge, because they desire shelter only for this night, and promise to leave us as soon as day appears.”
The sun having now risen, Scheherazade stopped her story at this point, with a sigh.
“Shall we then never hear the end of these surprising adventures?” asked her slave girl. But the sultan interposed:
“We will put off your unhappy execution for another day,” said he. “To-morrow you must relate the rest of the tale you have so well begun.”
Accordingly, the following morning, Scheherazade took up the story where she had ended the day before.
“Go then,” said Zobeide, “and bring them in, but make them read what is written over the gate.” Safie ran out with joy, and in a little time after returned with the three calenders.
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