that his master had a mind to
say something, left off playing. "Come in, Morgiana," said Ali Baba,
"and let Khaujeh Houssain see what you can do, that he may tell us what
he thinks of you. But, sir," said he, turning toward his guest, "do not
think that I put myself to any expense to give you this diversion, since
these are my slave and my cook and housekeeper; and I hope you will not
find the entertainment they give us disagreeable."

Khaujeh Houssain, who did not expect this diversion after supper, began
to fear he should not be able to improve the opportunity he thought he
had found: but hoped, if he now missed his aim, to secure it another
time, by keeping up a friendly correspondence with the father and son;
therefore, though he could have wished Ali Baba would have declined the
dance, he had the complaisance to express his satisfaction at what he
saw pleased his host.

As soon as Abdoollah saw that Ali Baba and Khaujeh Houssain had done
talking, he began to play on the tabor, and accompanied it with an air;
to which Morgiana, who was an excellent performer, danced in such a
manner as would have created admiration in any other company besides
that before which she now exhibited, among whom, perhaps, none but the
false Khaujeh Houssain was in the least attentive to her, the rest
having seen her so frequently.

After she had danced several dances with equal propriety and grace, she
drew the poniard, and holding it in her hand, began a dance, in which
she outdid herself, by the many different figures, light movements, and
the surprising leaps and wonderful exertions with which she accompanied
it. Sometimes she presented the poniard to one person's breast,
sometimes to another's, and oftentimes seemed to strike her own. At
last, as if she was out of breath, she snatched the tabor from Abdoollah
with her left hand, and holding the dagger in her right, presented the
other side of the tabor, after the manner of those who get a livelihood
by dancing, and solicit the liberality of the spectators.

Ali Baba put a piece of gold into the tabor, as did also his son: and
Khaujeh Houssain, seeing that she was coming to him, had pulled his
purse out of his bosom to make her a present; but while he was putting
his hand into it, Morgiana, with a courage and resolution worthy of
herself, plunged the poniard into his heart. Ali Baba and his son,
shocked at this action, cried out aloud. "Unhappy wretch!" exclaimed Ali
Baba, "what