My tears testify with how much sorrow and reluctance I
perform this painful duty. If there be anything else relating to
myself that you desire to know, my sister Amina will give you full
information in the relation of her story.
* * * * *
After the caliph had heard Zobeide with much astonishment, he desired
his grand vizier to request Amina to acquaint him wherefore her breast
was disfigured with so many scars.
THE HISTORY OF AMINA
Commander of the Faithful, that I may not repeat those things which
your majesty has already been informed of by my sister, I will only
mention that my mother, having taken a house to pass her widowhood in
private, first bestowed me in marriage on the heir of one of the
richest men in this city.
I had not been married quite a year before my husband died. I thus
became a widow, and was in possession of all his property, which
amounted to above ninety thousand sequins. When the first six months
of my mourning was over, I caused to be made for me ten different
dresses, of such magnificence that each came to a thousand sequins;
and at the end of the year I began to wear them.
One day, while I was alone, a lady[34] desired to speak to me. I gave
orders that she should be admitted. She was a very old woman. She
saluted me by kissing the ground, and said to me, kneeling, "Dear
lady, the confidence I have in your charity makes me thus bold.
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