The confident’s discourse perplexed the jeweller.  Your mistress, replied he, must allow me to say, that she has not thought well of what she requires.  Ebn Thaher’s access to the caliph gave him admission every where; and the officers, who knew him, suffered him to go and come freely to Schemselnihar’s palace; but, as for me, how dare I enter?  You see well enough that it is not possible.  I entreat you to represent those reasons to Schemselnihar which hinder me giving her that satisfaction, and acquaint her with all the ill consequences that would result from it.  If she considers it ever so little, she will find that it would expose me needlessly to very great danger.

The confident endeavoured to encourage the jeweller:  Believe me, said he, that Schemselnihar is not so unreasonable as to expose you to the least danger, from whom she expects such considerable services.  Consider with yourself that there is not the least appearance of hazard:  my mistress and I are too much interested in this affair to involve you in any danger.  You may depend upon me, and leave yourself to my conduct.  After the affair is over, you will confess to me that your fear was groundless.

The jeweller hearkened to the confident’s discourse, and got up to follow her; but, notwithstanding his natural courage, he was seized with such terror that his whole body trembled.  In the condition you are in, said she, I perceive it will be better for you to stay at home, and that Schemselnihar take other measures to see you.  It is not to be doubted but that, to satisfy her desire, she will come hither herself.  The case being so, sir, I would not have you to go, as I am persuaded it will not be long before she comes to you.  The confident foresaw this very well; for she no sooner informed Schemselnihar of the jeweller’s fear, than she made ready to go to his house.

He received her with all the marks of profound respect.  When she sat down, being a little fatigued with walking, she unveiled herself, and discovered to the jeweller such beauty as made him acknowledge that the prince of Persia was excusable in giving his heart to her.  Then she saluted the jeweller with a graceful countenance, and said to him, I am informed with what zeal you have engaged in the prince of Persia’s concerns and mine; but, without immediately forming a design to express my gratitude, I thank Heaven, which has so soon made up Ebn Thaher’s loss.

Schemselnihar said several other obliging things to the jeweller, after which she returned to her palace.  The jeweller went immediately to give an account of this visit to the prince of Persia, who said to him, as soon as he saw him, I have expected you impatiently.  The trusty slave has brought me a letter from her mistress, but she does not comfort me:  whatever the lovely Schemselnihar says, I dare not hope for any thing; my patience is at an end; I know not now what measures to take.  Ebn Thaher’s departure makes me despair; he was my only support; I lost all by losing him, for I flattered myself with some hopes by reason of his access to Schemselnihar.