Then I said, “If you will honour your humble servant’s house with a visit, it will be the essence of condescension.  That young man made many excuses and evasions, but I would not give up the point.  When [at length] he consented, I brought him with me to my house; but on the way I could not avoid making the reflection, that “if I had had the means, I could receive my guest in a style which would be highly gratifying to him.  Now I am taking him with me, let us see what will be the result.”  Absorbed in these apprehensions, I drew near my house.  Then how was I surprised to see a great crowd and bustle at the door; the street had been swept and watered; silver mace and club bearers [144] were in waiting.  I wondered greatly [at what I saw], but knowing it to be mine own house, I entered, and perceived that elegant carpets befitting every apartment, were spread in all directions, and rich masnads were laid out. Betel boxes, gulab-pashes, ’itr-dans, pik-duns [145] flower pots, narcissus-pots, were all arranged in order.  In the recesses of the walls, various kinds of oranges and confectionery of various colours were placed.  On one side variegated screens of talk, with lights behind them were displayed, and on the other side tall branches of lamps in the shape of cypresses and lotuses, were lighted up.  In the hall and alcove camphorated candles were placed in golden candlesticks, and rich glass shades were placed over thorn; every attendant waited at his respective post.  In the kitchen the pots continued jingling; and in the abdar-khana [146] there was a corresponding preparation; jars of water, quite new, stood on silver stands, with percolators attached, and covered with lids.  Further on, on a platform, were placed spoons and cups, with salvers and covers; kulfis [147] of ice were arranged, and the goglets [148] were being agitated in saltpetre.

In short, every requisite becoming a prince was displayed.  Dancing girls and boys, singers, musicians and buffoons, in rich apparel, were in waiting, and singing in concert.  I led the young merchant in, and seated him on the masnad; [149] I was all amazement [and said to myself] “O God, in so short a time how have such preparations been made?” I was staring around and walking about in every direction, but I could nowhere perceive a trace of the beautiful lady; searching for her, I went into the kitchen, and I saw her there, with an upper garment on her neck, slippers on her feet, and a white handkerchief thrown over her head, plain and simply dressed, and without any jewels.

    “She on whom God hath bestowed beauty has no need of ornaments;
    Behold how beautiful appears the moon, without decorations.”

She was busily employed in the superintendence of the feast, and was giving directions for the eatables, saying, “have a care that [this dish] may be savoury, and that its moisture, its seasoning and its fragrance, may be quite correct.”  In this toil that rose-like person was all over perspiration.