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So I mounted ass and rode to the Khan of Masrur where I alighted

and gave the man a half dinar, saying, "Return at sunset;" and he

said "I will." Then I breakfasted and went out to seek the price

of my stuffs; after which I returned, and taking a roast lamb and

some sweetmeats, called a porter and put the provision in his

crate, and sent it to the lady paying the man his hire.[FN#539] I

went back to my business till sunset, when the ass driver came to

me and I took fifty dinars in a kerchief and rode to her house

where I found the marble floor swept, the brasses burnisht, the

branch lights burning, the wax candles ready lighted, the meat

served up and the wine strained.[FN#540] When my lady saw me she

threw her arms about my neck, and cried, "Thou hast desolated me

by thine absence." Then she set the tables before me and we ate

till we were satisfied, when the slave girls carried off the

trays and served up wine.