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Then the old woman led my brother into a great sitting room

spread with wondrous fine carpets and hung with curtains, where

he sat down with his gold before him, and his turband on his

knee.[FN#673] He had scarcely taken seat before there came to him

a young lady (never eye saw fairer) clad in garments of the most

sumptuous; whereupon my brother rose to his feet, and she smiled

in his face and welcomed him, signing to him to be seated. Then

she bade shut the door and, when it was shut, she turned to my

brother, and taking his hand conducted him to a private chamber

furnished with various kinds of brocades and gold cloths. Here he

sat down and she sat by his side and toyed with him awhile; after

which she rose and saying, "Stir not from thy seat till I come

back to thee;" disappeared. Meanwhile as he was on this wise, lo!

there came in to him a black slave big of body and bulk and

holding a drawn sword in hand, who said to him, "Woe to thee!