Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/73

The other Lady, who minded us, did nothing at firſt but laugh at us. I told you, ſaid ſhe, addreſſing her ſelf to me, you wou’d find my Friend full of Charms; and I perceive you have already violated the Oath you made me of being faithful to me. Madam, ſaid I, laughing as well as ſhe; you would have Reaſon to complain of me, if I were wanting in Civility to a Lady that you brought hither, and one whom you are fond of; you might then upbraid me, both of you, for not knowing the Meaſures of Hoſpitality and Entertainment.

We continued to drink on; but as the Wine grew warm in our Stomachs, the Stranger Lady and I ogled one another with ſo little Reſerve, that her Friend grew Jealous, and quickly gave us a diſmal Proof of her Jealouſy. She roſe from the Table and went out, ſaying, ſhe would be with us preſently again: But a few Moments after, the Lady that ſtaid with me changed her Countenance, fell into violent Convulſions, and in fine expired in my Arms, while I was calling tor the People to come and aſſiſt me to relieve her. Immediately I went out, and asked for the other Lady; and my People told me ſhe had opened the Street Door and gone out of Doors. Then I ſuſpected what was really true, that ſhe had been the Cauſe of her Friend’s Death. In fine ſhe had the Dexterity, and the Malice, to put ſome very ſtrong Poiſon into the laſt Glaſs, which ſhe gave her out of her own Hand.

I was afflicted to the laſt Degree with the Accident. What ſhall I do, thinks I within my ſelf? What will become of me? I thought there was no time to loſe, and fo it being then Moon-light, made my Servants quietly take up a great piece of Marble with which the Yard of my Houſe was paved; under that I made ’em dig a Hole preſently, and there inter the Corps of the Young Lady. After replacing the Stone, I put on a travelling Suit, and took what Silver I had; and having lock’d up every thing, affixed my own Seal to the Door of my Houſe. This done, I went to ſee tor the Jewel Merchant my Landlord, payed him what Rent I ow’d, with a Year’s Rent more, and giving him a the Key, prayed him to keep it for me. A very urging Affair, ſaid I, obliges me to be abſent for ſome time; I am under a Neceſſity of going to find out my Uncles at Cairo. In fine, I took leave of him, and that