to this condition; and we withdrew under a portico,
where, being concealed by two advanced pillars, she covered my eyes
with a very thick silk handkerchief. She made me turn three or four
times round on my heel; then took me by the hand, and caused me to
walk by her side for a full quarter of an hour. We suddenly stopped. I
heard her knock at a door, which opened, and, as soon as we had
entered, immediately shut.

"I was in a short time restored to the use of my eyes, and committed
to the care of two female slaves of remarkable beauty and richness of
dress. They conducted me through seven doors, at the end of which I
was received by fourteen other slaves, whose figures were so striking,
and whose dress so magnificent, that I was dazzled with beholding
them. I was now in a superb apartment, where everything was marble,
jasper, or rich gilding. My adventure had so much the appearance of a
dream, that, though my eyes were open, I could scarcely be convinced
that I was really awake. The old woman, who had still followed me,
went out for an instant, and soon returned, accompanied by a slave,
who brought breakfast upon a large golden plate. I sat down to refresh
myself.

"While I was satisfying my hunger, the old woman counted down upon a
table the ten thousand crowns which were owing to me. 'There is your
whole sum,' said she. 'Be not uneasy that my mistress does not yet
appear. The law commands, and decency requires, that you should not
see one another before the contract is made.'

"Before she had done speaking, a Cadi appeared, with ten persons in
his train. I arose to salute him, when the old woman, addressing the
lawyer, said to him,

"'The young lady who is to be married to this merchant has chosen you
for her guardian: do you agree to accept the office?'

"The Cadi replied, 'that he reckoned himself highly honoured by the
choice which had been made of him.'

"He immediately drew up the contract, and got it signed by the
witnesses whom he had brought with him. After partaking of an ample
collation, which was served up to him and his attendants, and having
been presented with a magnificent dress and three hundred sequins, he
retired, charging the old woman to beg her mistress to accept his
thanks.

"I was so astonished at what I saw, that when the Cadi went away, I
made a motion to follow him, without perceiving that I left my money
behind. I was prevented by the old woman, who made me sit down again.

"'Are