Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 5.djvu/89
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him,that I may hear from his own Mouth what you tell me, and thank him for ſuch an unheard of Piece of Generoſity towards Perſons that he is no ways obliged to concern himſelf with. A Sight of him will pleaſe me, and I will not omit any thing to confirm him in thoſe good Sentiments. Don’t fail to bring him to me to Morrow, Therefore, pray, Sir, go with me to the Palace.
The Contfident’s Diſcourſe perplex’d the Jeweller. Your Miſtrefs, replies he, muſt allow me to ſay that ſhe has not thought well of what ſhe requires of me. Ebn Thaher’s Aceſſ to the Califf gave him Admiſſion every where; and the Officers who knew him ſuffer’d him to go and come freely to Schemſelnihar’s Palace ; but as for me, how dare I enter? You ſee well enough that it is not poſſible: I entreat you to repreſent thoſe Reaſons to Schemſelnihar which hinder me from giving that Satisfation; and acquaint her with all the ill Conſequences that would attend it. If ſhe conſider it never ſo little, ſhe would find that it would expoſe me needleſly to very great Danger.
The Confident endeavour’d to encourage the Jeweler: Believe me, ſays ſhe, that Schemſelnihar is not ſo unreaſonable as to expoſe you to the leaſt Danger, from whom ſhe expects ſo conſiderable Services. Conſider with yourſelf that there is not the leaſt Appearance of Hazard, My Miſtreſs and I are too much intereſted in this Affair, to involve you in any Danger. You may depend upon me, and leave yourſelf to my Conduct. After the Thing is over, you will confeſs to me that your Fear was groundleſs.
The Jeweller hearkened to the Confident’s Diſcourſe, and got up to follow her; but notwithſtanding his natural Courage, he was ſeiz’d with ſuch Terror that his whole Body trembled: In the Condition you are in, ſays ſhe, I perceive it will be better for you to ſtay at home, and that Schemſelnihar take other Meaſures to ſee you. It is not to be doubted, but that to ſatisfie her Deſire, ſhe will come hither her ſelf: The Caſe being ſo, Sir, I would not have you to go: I am perſwaded it will not be long e’er you ſee her your ſelf. The Confident foreſaw this very well; for ſhe no ſooner inform’d Schemſelnihar of the Jeweller’s Fear, but ſhe made ready to go to his Houſe.