cept 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; but 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 makes his secret known is no longer its master. If thy own breast cannot keep thy counsel, how canst thou expect the breast of another to be more faithful?’ ”
The porter was about to retire in confusion, when Amina took his part, saying to Zobeide and Safie, “My dear sisters, I conjure you to let him remain; he will amuse us. Were I to repeat to you all the amusing things he addressed to me by the way, you would not feel surprised at my taking his part.”
At these words of Amina, the porter fell on his knees, kissed the ground at her feet, and raising himself up, said, “Most beautiful lady, you began my good fortune to-day, and now you complete it by this generous conduct; I cannot adequately express my acknowledgments. As to the rest, ladies,” said he, addressing himself to all three sisters, “since you do me so great an honor, I shall always look upon my-
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