The lady who had spoken to me before answered, “We are very well satisfied of your civility, and find it is your fear to create jealousy among us that occasions your diffidence; but let not this hinder you.  We assure you, that the good fortune of her whom you choose shall cause no feeling of the kind; for we are agreed among ourselves, that every one of us shall in her turn have the same honour; and when forty days are past, to begin again; therefore make your selection, and lose no time to take the repose you need.”  I was obliged to yield to their entreaties, and offered my hand to the lady who spoke, and who, in return, gave me hers.  We were conducted to a sumptuous apartment, where they left us; and then every one retired to her own chamber.

I was scarcely dressed next morning, when the other thirty-nine ladies came into my chamber, all in different dresses from those they had worn the day before:  they bade me good-morrow, and inquired after my health.  After which they conveyed me to a bath, where they washed me themselves, and whether I would or no, served me with everything I needed; and when I came out of the bath, they made me put on another suit much richer than the former.

We passed the whole day almost constantly at table; and when it was bed-time, they prayed me again to make choice of one of them for my companion In short, madam, not to weary you with repetitions, I must tell you that I continued a whole year among those forty ladies, and received them into my bed one after another:  and during all the time of this voluptuous life, we met not with the least kind of trouble.  When the year was expired, I was greatly surprised that these forty ladies, instead of appearing with their usual cheerfulness to ask me how I did, entered my chamber one morning all in tears.  They embraced me with great tenderness one after another, saying, “Adieu, dear prince, adieu! for we must leave you.”  Their tears affected.  I prayed them to tell me the reason of their grief, and of the separation they spoke of.  “Fair ladies, let me know,” said I, “if it be in my power to comfort you, or if my assistance can be any way useful to you.”  Instead of returning a direct answer, “Would,” said they, “we had never seen or known you!  Several gentlemen have honoured us with their company before you; but never one of them had that comeliness, that sweetness, that pleasantness of humour, and that merit which you possess; we know not how to live without you.”  After they had spoken these words, they began to weep bitterly.  “My dear ladies,” said I, “have the kindness not to keep me any longer in suspense:  tell me the cause of your sorrow.”  “Alas!” said they, “what but the necessity of parting from you could thus afflict us?  Perhaps we shall never see you more; but if it be your wish we should, and if you possess sufficient self-command for the purpose, it is not impossible but that we may again enjoy the pleasure of your company.”  “Ladies,” I replied, “I understand not what you mean; pray explain yourselves more clearly.”