A certain space of time passed away in this mystery and submission—­I instantly procured for her whatever she desired.  I spent all the money I had from the sale of my goods, both principal and interest.  In a foreign country [where I was unknown], who would trust me? that by borrowing, affairs might go on.  At last, I was distressed for money, even for our daily expenses, and thence my heart became much embarrassed.  With this anxious solicitude I pined daily, and the colour fled from my face; but to whom could I speak [for aid]?  What my heart suffered, that it must suffer.  “The grief of the poor man [preys] on his own soul.” [128] One day the beautiful lady, from her own penetration, perceived [my distressed state] and said, “O youth! my obligations [to you] for the services [you have rendered] me are engraven on my heart as indelible as on stone; but their return I am unable to make at present.  If there be any thing required for necessary expenses, do not be distressed on that account, but bring me a slip of paper, pen, and ink.”  I was then convinced that this fair lady must be a princess of some country, or else she would not have addressed me with such boldness and haughtiness.  I instantly brought her the writing materials, [129] and placed them before her—­she having written a note in a fair hand, delivered it to me, and said, “There is a Tirpauliya [130] near the fort; in the adjoining street is a large mansion, and the master of that house is called Sidi Bahar; [131] go and deliver this note to him.”

I went according to her commands, and by the name and address she had given me, I soon found out the house; by the porter I sent word of the circumstance [of my having brought] a letter.  The moment he heard [my message,] a handsome young negro, with a flashy turban on his head, came out to me; though his colour was dark, his countenance was full of animation.  He took the note from my hand, but said nothing, asked no questions, and at the same pace [without a pause] entered the house.  In a short time he came out, accompanied by slaves, who carried on their heads eleven sealed trays covered with brocade.  He told the slaves, “Go with this young man, and deliver these trays.”  I, having made my salutation, took my leave of him, and brought [the slaves with their burdens] to our house.  I dismissed the men from the door, and carried in the trays entrusted to me to the presence of the fair lady.  On seeing them she said, “Take these eleven bags of gold pieces and appropriate the money to necessary expenses; God is most bountiful.”  I took the gold, and began to lay it out in immediate necessaries.  Although I became more easy in my mind, yet this perplexity continued in my heart.  “O God, [said I to myself,] what a strange circumstance is this! that a stranger, whose person is unknown to me, should, on the mere sight of a bit of paper, have delivered over to me so much money without question or inquiry.  I cannot ask the fair lady to explain the mystery, as she has beforehand forbidden me.”  Through fear, I was unable to breathe a syllable.