nd butterflies; and holding the case in which they were in the air,
"Who will buy," he exclaimed--"who will buy fine bright silken
creatures, very cheap, very cheap?" Jussuf raised his eyes by chance,
while conversing with a customer about a necklace of jewels, and
perceived in the case the beautiful butterfly which he wanted to catch
himself a few days before, and out of which his comical playmate had
raised herself from the poppy.

Then his words died on his lips. He looked at the crier, dumb for a
minute, and then called him back quickly. "Let me see," said he; and
when he had convinced himself that he was not mistaken, he offered the
man at once a thousand sequins, without allowing him to ask anything.

The crier gave him the case quickly, as if he feared that Jussuf would
repent of his purchase, and smilingly received the purse of gold.

"I thank thee," said he. "It is well that I know thee to be an amateur
in such things. If I get any more, I will certainly bring them to thee
first. People say, indeed, that thou dost not sell cheaply. I have
convinced myself thou also payest well for what thou purchasest."
Overjoyed, and praising his good fortune, he went away.

Jussuf had scarcely received the case of insects, when he carefully
examined it in a division of his warehouse, whilst a red blush mantled
over his face, and his looks betokened the greatest pleasure. The
bystanders could not believe that he was such a lover of insects, and
such a connoisseur; and they conjectured that his eyes must have
discovered some extraordinary value in the purchased case. But from
this moment Jussuf paid little more attention to his business. This
absence of mind increased every moment, and often caused him to ask
quite a trifling sum for very precious goods, and an unconscionably
high one for those equally insignificant. He could scarcely conceal
his chagrin whenever new customers made their appearance; and all saw
with wonder, how--contrary to his usual custom--he hailed with joy the
time for closing his warehouse, and how joyously he departed with his
case of insects!

Immediately he wrapped the case in a cloth, and had it carried by some
slaves who accompanied him to his house. Till now he did not know why
he had so much value for the butterfly; he was only led to purchase it
by some impulse, and had not as yet given himself any reasons for it.
For the first time, as he lay quietly in bed, he asked himself this
question: "W