him that he was very rude to propose such a thing.  But, instead of obeying me, she said, What the merchant desires of you is no such great matter; you need not speak, but only present him your cheek, and the business will soon be done.  The stuff pleased me so much, that I was foolish enough to take her advice.  The old woman and my slaves stood up, that nobody might see, and I put up my veil; but, instead of a kiss, the merchant bit me till the blood came.  The pain and surprise were so great, that I fell down in a swoon, and continued in it so long, that the merchant had time to shut his shop, and fly for it.  When I came to myself, I found my cheek all bloody:  The old woman and my slaves took care to cover it with my veil, lest the people who cams about us should perceive; but they supposed it only a fainting-fit.  The old woman that was with me, being extremely troubled at the accident, endeavoured to comfort me:  My dear mistress, said she, I beg your pardon, for I am the cause of this misfortune, having brought you to this merchant because he is my countryman; but I never thought he could be capable of so vile an action.  But do not grieve; let us make haste to go home.  I will give you a medicine that will perfectly cure you in three days time, so that the least mark will not be seen.  The fit had made me so weak, that I was scarcely able to walk; but at last I got home, where I had a second fit as I went into my chamber.  Meanwhile the old woman applied her remedy, so that I came to myself, and went to bed.

My husband came to me at night, and seeing my head bound up, asked the reason.  I told him I had the headache, and hoped he would inquire no further; but he took a candle, and saw that my cheek was hurt:  How comes this wound? said he.  Though I was not very guilty, yet I could not think of owning the thing:  besides, to make such confession to a husband, was somewhat indecent; therefore I told him, that as I was going to seek for that stuff you gave me leave to buy, a porter carrying a load of wood came so close by me, as I went through a narrow street, that one of the sticks gave me a rub on my cheek; but it is not much hurt.  This put my husband into such a passion, that he vowed it should not go unpunished; for he should to-morrow give orders to the lieutenant of the police to seize upon all those brutes of porters, and cause them to be hanged.  Being afraid to occasion the death of so many innocent persons, I told him, Sir, I should be sorry that so great a piece of injustice should be committed.  Pray, do not do it; for I should judge myself unpardonable, if I were the cause of so much mischief.  Then tell me sincerely, said he, how you came by this wound?  I answered, that it came through the inadvertency of a broom-seller upon an ass, who coming behind me, and looking another way, his ass gave me such a push, that I fell down, and hurt my cheek upon some glass.  Is it so? said my husband, then to-morrow morning, before sun-rise,