When we came to the street where the merchants reside, the old woman
said, "Dear mistress, since you want silk stuffs, I must take you to a
young merchant of my acquaintance, who has a great variety; and that
you may not fatigue yourself by running from shop to shop, I can
assure you that you will find in his what no other can furnish." I was
easily persuaded, and we entered a shop belonging to a young merchant.
I sat down, and bade the old woman desire him to show me the finest
silk stuffs he had. The woman desired me to speak myself; but I told
her it was one of the articles of my marriage contract not to speak
to any man but my husband, which I ought to keep.
The merchant showed me several stuffs, of which one pleased me better
than the rest; and I bade her ask the price. He answered the old
woman: "I will not sell it for gold or money; but I will make her a
present of it, if she will give me leave to kiss her cheek."
I ordered the old woman to tell him that he was very rude to propose
such a freedom. But instead of obeying me, she said, "What the
merchant desires of you is no such great matter; you need not speak,
but only present him your cheek."
The stuff pleased me so much that I was foolish enough to take her
advice. The old woman and my slaves stood up, that nobody might see,
and I put up my veil;[36] but instead of kissing me, the merchant bit
me so violently as to draw blood.
[Footnote 36: "No woman, of what rank soever, is permitted to go into
the streets without two muslins; one that covers her face all but her
eyes, and another that hides the whole dress of her head, and hangs
halfway down her back.
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