This poor woman’s address, which she spoke with tears, moved my compassion.  “Good woman,” said I, “do not afflict yourself, I will grant you the favour you desire; tell me whither I must go, and I will meet you as soon as I am dressed.”  The old woman was so transported with joy at my answer, that she kissed my feet before I had time to prevent her.  “My compassionate lady,” said she, rising, “God will reward the kindness you have shewed to your servants, and make your heart as joyful as you have made theirs.  You need not at present trouble yourself; it will be time enough for you to go when I call for you in the evening.  So farewell, madam, till I have the honour to see you again.”

As soon as she was gone, I took the suit I liked best, with a necklace of large pearls, bracelets, pendents for my ears, and rings set with the finest and most sparkling diamonds; for my mind presaged what would befall me.

When the night closed in, the old woman called upon me, with a countenance full of joy.  She kissed my hands, and said, “My dear lady, the relations of my son-in-law, who are the principal ladies of the city, are now met together; you may come when you please; I am ready to conduct you.”  We immediately set out; she walked before me, and I was followed by a number of my women and slaves properly dressed for the occasion.  We stopt in a wide street, newly swept and watered, at a spacious gate with a lamp, by the light of which I read this inscription in golden letters over the entrance:  “This is the everlasting abode of pleasure and joy.”  The old woman knocked, and the gate was opened immediately.

I was conducted towards the lower end of the court, into a large hall, where I was received by a young lady of admirable beauty.  She drew near, and after having embraced me, made me sit down by her upon a sofa, on which was raised a throne of precious wood set with diamonds.  “Madam,” said she, “you are brought hither to assist at a wedding; but I hope it will be a different wedding from what you expected.  I have a brother, one of the handsomest men in the world:  he is fallen so much in love with the fame of your beauty, that his fate depends wholly upon you, and he will be the unhappiest of men if you do not take pity on him.  He knows your quality, and I can assure you he is in no respect unworthy of your alliance.  If my prayers, madam, can prevail, I shall join them with his, and humbly beg you will not refuse the proposal of being his wife.”

After the death of my husband I had not thought of marrying again.  But I had no power to refuse the solicitation of so charming a lady.  As soon as I had given consent by my silence, accompanied with a blush, the young lady claps her hands, and immediately a closet-door opened, out of which came a young man of a majestic air, and so graceful a behaviour, that I thought myself happy to have made so great a conquest.  He sat down by me, and I found from his conversation that his merits far exceeded the eulogium of his sister.