Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/46

cut off, but I beg’d the Cavalier to intercede for my Pardon, which he did, and obtain’d it.

When the Judge was gone, the Cavalier came up to me, and ho’ding out the Purſe, I ſee plainly, ſaid he, that ’twas Neceſlity put you upon an Action ſo diſgraceful and unworthy of ſuch a handſome young Man as you are. Here take that fatal Purſe, I freely give it you, and am Heartily ſorry for the Misfortune you have undergone. This ſaid, he went away; and, I being very weak by reaſon of my loſs of Blood, ſome of the good People that lived that way, had the Charity to carry me into one of their Houſes, and give me a Glaſs of Wine, they likewiſe dreſled my Arm, and wrapp’d up the diſmember’d Hand in a Cloath.

If I had return’d to the Khan where I lodged, I ſhould not have found there ſuch Relief as I wanted; and to offer to go to the young Lady’s, was running a great Hazard, it being likely ſhe wou’d not look upon me after ſuch an infamous Thing had befallen me. However, I reſolved to put it to the Trial; and, to tire out the Crowd that followed me, I turned down ſeveral By Streets, and at laſt arriv’d at my Lady’s very weak, and ſo much fatigu’d, that I preſently threw my ſelf down upon a Sofa, keeping my Right Arm under my Coat, for I took great care to conceal my Misfortune.

In the mean time, the Lady hearing of my Arrival, and that I was not well, came to me in all haſte; My dear Soul, ſaid ſhe, what’s the matter with you? Madam, ſaid I, I have got a violent Pain in my Head. The Lady ſeem’d to be mightily afflicted with my pretended Illneſs, and asked me to ſit down, for I had got up to receive her. Tell me, ſaid ſhe, how your Illneſs came: The laſt time I had the Pleaſure to ſee you, you were very well. There muſt be ſomething elſe that you conceal from me, prithee let me know what it is. I ſtood filent, and, inſtead of an Anſwer, Tears trickled down my Cheeks. I can’t conceive, ſaid ſhe, what it is that afflicts you. Have I given you any Occaſion to be uneaſy? Or do you come on purpoſe to tell me you do not love me. ’Tis not that, Madam, ſaid I, fetching a deep ſigh; your unjuſt ſuſpicion is an addition to my Evil.