“Upon the prediction the astrologers, he sought by all means possible to falsify my horoscope, and to preserve my life.  He took the precaution to form this subterranean habitation to hide me in, till the expiration of the fifty days after the throwing down of the statue; and therefore, as it is ten days since this happened, he came hastily hither to conceal me, and promised at the end of forty days to return and fetch me away.  For my own part I am sanguine in my hopes, and cannot believe that prince Agib will seek for me in a place under ground, in the midst of a desert island.”

While the jeweller’s son was relating this story, I laughed at the astrologers who had foretold that I should take away his life; for I thought myself so far from being likely to verify their prediction, that he had scarcely done speaking, when I told him with great joy, “Dear Sir, trust in the goodness of God, and fear nothing; consider it as a debt you had to pay; but that you are acquitted of it from this hour.  I rejoice that after my shipwreck I came so fortunately hither to defend you against all who would attempt your life.  I will not leave you till the forty days have expired, of which the foolish astrologers have made you apprehensive; and in the mean while I will do you all the service in my power:  after which, with leave of your father and yourself, I shall have the benefit of getting to the main land in your vessel; and when I am returned into my kingdom, I will remember the obligations I owe you, and endeavour to demonstrate my gratitude by suitable acknowedgments.”

This discourse encouraged the jeweller’s son, and inspired him with confidence.  I took care not to inform him I was the very Agib whom he dreaded, lest I should alarm his fears, and used every precaution not to give him any cause to suspect who I was.  We passed the time in various conversation till night came on.  I found the young man of ready wit, and partook with him of his provisions, of which he had enough to have lasted beyond the forty days, though he had had more guests than myself.  After supper we conversed for some time; and at last retired to bed.

The next morning, when he arose, I held the basin of water to him; I also provided dinner, and at the proper time placed it on the table:  after we had dined I invented a play for our amusement, not only for that day, but for those that followed.  I prepared supper after the same manner as I had done the dinner; and having supped, we retired to bed as before.  We had sufficient time to contrast mutual friendship and esteem for each other.  I found he loved me; and I on my part regarded him with so much affection, that I often said to myself, “Those astrologers who predicted to his father that his son should die by my hand were impostors; for it is not possible that I could commit so base a crime.”  In short, madam, we spent thirty-nine days in the pleasantest manner possible in this subterraneous abode.