He anxiously wished to learn the cause
of this singularity, but the conditions they had imposed upon him and
his companions prevented any inquiry. Besides all this, when he
reflected upon the richness of the services and furniture, with the
regularity and arrangement everywhere apparent, he could hardly
persuade himself it was not the effect of enchantment.
The guests continued their conversation, when, after an interval,
Zobeide rose up, and taking Amina by the hand, said to her, "Come,
sister, the company shall not prevent us from doing as we have always
been accustomed."
Amina, who perfectly understood what her sister meant, got up, and
took away the dishes, tables, bottles, glasses, and also the
instruments on which the calenders had played. Nor did Safie remain
idle; she snuffed the candles, and added more aloewood and ambergris.
Having done this, she requested the three calenders to sit on a sofa
on one side, and the caliph and his company on the other.
"Get up," said she then to the porter, looking at him, "and be ready
to assist in whatever we want of you."
A little while after, Amina came in with a sort of seat, which she
placed in the middle of the room. She then went to the door of a
closet, and having opened it, she made a sign to the porter to
approach.
"Come and assist me," she cried. He did so, and went in with her, and
returned a moment after, followed by two black dogs, each of them
secured by a collar and chain.
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