could neither provide for by my
industry nor instruct without losing the daily bread I earn for her. I
perceive a little is sufficient for your support; nay, I know not how,
I seem to have greater plenty since you have been with me than before;
whether it be owing to the blessing of Heaven on you I know not."

"Far be it from me," said Houadir, "to see my generous benefactress
deceived; but the thinness of inhabitants, occasioned by the tyranny
of Almurah, is the cause that your provisions are more plentiful; but
yet I insist upon bearing my part in the burden of the day, and Urad
shall share my evening's labour."

From this time Houadir became a useful member of the family of Nouri,
and Urad was daily instructed by the good old stranger in the
pleasures and benefits of a virtuous, and the horrors and curses of an
evil, life.

Little Urad was greatly rejoiced at the lessons of Houadir, and was
never better pleased than when she was listening to the mild and
pleasing instructions of her affable mistress.

It was the custom of Houadir, whenever she taught Urad any new rule or
caution, to give her a peppercorn; requiring of her, as often as she
looked at them, to remember the lessons which she learnt at the time
she received them.

In this manner Urad continued to be instructed; greatly improving, as
well in virtue and religion, as in comeliness and beauty, till she was
near woman's estate; so that Nouri could scarcely believe she was the
mother of a daughter so amiable and graceful in person and manners.
Neither was Urad unskilled in the labours of the family, or the
silk-worm; for, Nouri growing old and sickly, she almost constantly,
by her industry, supported the whole cottage.

One evening, as Houadir was lecturing her attentive pupil, Nouri, who
lay sick on the straw bed, called Urad to her.

"My dear daughter," said Nouri, "I feel, alas! more for you than
myself: while Houadir lives, you will have indeed a better instructor
than your poor mother was capable of being unto you; but what will my
innocent lamb, my lovely Urad do, when she is left alone, the helpless
prey of craft or power? Consider, my dear child, that Allah would not
send you into the world to be necessarily and unavoidably wicked;
therefore always depend upon the assistance of our holy Prophet when
you do right, and let no circumstance of life, nor any persuasion,
ever bias you to live otherwise than according to the chaste and
virtuous precep