the caresses of a strange woman."

"I think," said Haroun, "you strain the expressions of the law: you
make it too sanguinary, and you would expose a great many in Bagdad to
danger if the right of doing themselves justice was granted to all who
really are, or think themselves, injured in this respect."

"Marriages of every kind," replied the Vizier, "will not admit of the
rigorous application of the law; but when the lady who is married,
while she subjects herself to the law in all its rigour, has it
likewise in her power to demand the same subjection from the man whom
she is to marry, and this condition is freely accepted, the injured
person in avenging herself only makes use of her legal right."

"Notwithstanding all your fine arguments," said Haroun, "I am still
inclined to favour the unfortunate Halechalbe: it yet remains that I
be informed of the name of the woman in whose cause you are so
eloquent."

"She is my daughter," answered the Vizier in great confusion.

"You have now," replied the Caliph, "let me into the secret. I see
that the multiplicity of my affairs makes you neglect your own, and
renders you perfectly ignorant of what passes in your own house.
Marriages are contracted, and men's lives disposed of, without your
knowing anything of the matter. Imagine the consequences which would
result from allowing an arm directed by passion to execute a rigorous
law. I know the rights which are assumed by women in cases of unequal
marriages. If conveniency and prudence, those powerful directors of
human conduct, sometimes oblige them to give their hand to one of an
inferior station, then they may avail themselves of these rights to a
certain extent: they are a sort of compensation for the sacrifice
which they make. But this is not the case with your daughter, who has
made no sacrifice but to her own taste, and the son of the chief of
trade is in every respect become her equal. He loves and adores her,
notwithstanding all the cruelty which she has exercised against him,
and she would certainly be too happy in having him again for her
husband. You well know that with one word I can make my meanest
subject a Prince. I will raise Halechalbe's father to that dignity,
from a principle of justice, and I will take care of the son, from
regard to himself and to you. Find out the name of the Cadi who drew
up the contract, and why he ventured to do so without your consent,
since without that the deed would be void; take