from the eyes of Damat Zade, who till this moment had always appeared to
me a man of a mild and reasonable temper, I was for an instant tempted to
fly into a passion and leave him; but friends, once lost, are not easily
regained. This consideration had power sufficient to make me command my
temper. 'My friend,' replied I, 'we will talk over this affair
to-morrow. You are now angry, and cannot do me justice, but to-morrow
you will be cool; you will then be convinced that I have not deceived
you, and that I have no design but to secure my own happiness, by the
most prudent means in my power, by avoiding the sight of the dangerous
Fatima. I have no passion for any other woman.'

"'Then,' said my friend, embracing me, and quitting the tone of anger
which he had assumed only to try my resolution to the utmost, 'Then,
Saladin, Fatima is yours.'

"I scarcely dared to believe my senses; I could not express my joy! 'Yes,
my friend,' continued the merchant, 'I have tried your prudence to the
utmost, it has been victorious, and I resign my Fatima to you, certain
that you will make her happy. It is true I had a greater alliance in
view for her--the Pacha of Maksoud has demanded her from me; but I have
found, upon private inquiry, he is addicted to the intemperate use of
opium, and my daughter shall never be the wife of one who is a violent
madman one-half the day and a melancholy idiot during the remainder. I
have nothing to apprehend from the pacha's resentment, because I have
powerful friends with the grand vizier, who will oblige him to listen to
reason, and to submit quietly to a disappointment he so justly merits.
And now, Saladin, have you any objection to seeing the feast of tulips?'

"I replied only by falling at the merchant's feet, and embracing his
knees. The feast of tulips came and on that day I was married to the