, relieved by a
bordering of Indian gold. In the middle of the court there was a large
basin lined with white marble, and full of the finest transparent
water, which rushed from the mouth of a lion of gilt bronze.

But what principally attracted the attention of the porter, was a
third most beautiful lady, who was seated on the couch before
mentioned. This lady was called Zobeide, she who opened the door was
called Safie, and the name of the one who had been for the provisions
was Amina. Then said Zobeide, accosting the other two, "Sisters, do
you not see that this honest man is ready to sink under his burden?
Why do you not ease him of it?"

Then Amina and Safie took the basket, the one before and the other
behind; Zobeide also assisted, and all three together set it on the
ground, and then emptied it. When they had done, the beautiful Amina
took out money and paid the porter liberally.

The porter was well satisfied, but when he ought to have departed he
was chained to the spot by the pleasure of beholding three such
beauties, who appeared to him equally charming; for Amina, having now
laid aside her veil, proved to be as handsome as either of the others.
What surprised him most was that he saw no man about the house, yet
most of the provisions he had brought in, as the dry fruits and the
several sorts of cakes and confections, were adapted chiefly for those
who could drink and make merry.

"Madam," said he, addressing Zobeide, "I am sensible that I act rudely
in staying longer than I ought, but I hope you will have the goodness
to pardon me, when I tell you that I am astonished not to see a man
with three ladies of such extraordinary beauty; and you know that a
company of women without men is as melancholy as a company of men
without women."

To this he added some pleasantries in proof of what he advanced; and
did not forget the Bagdad proverb, "That the table is not completely
furnished, except there be four in company"; so concluded, that since
they were but three, they wanted another.

The ladies fell a-laughing at the porter's reasoning; after which
Zobeide gravely addressed him, "Friend, you presume rather too much;
and though you do not deserve it, I have no objection to inform you
that we are three sisters, who transact our affairs with so much
secrecy that no one knows anything of them. A good author says, 'Keep
thy own secret, and do not reveal it to any one. He that maketh his
secret known is no lon