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 at once 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 aloe-wood 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, “and be ready to assist in whatever we want you.” Amina next came in with a 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, and brought them into the middle of the court.
Zobeide, rising from her seat between the calenders and the caliph, moved sadly toward the porter. “Come,” said she, heaving a deep sigh, “let us perform our duty.” She then tucked up her sleeves above her elbows, and receiving a rod from Safie, “Porter,” said she, “deliver one of the dogs to my sister Amina, and bring the other to me.”
The porter did as he was commanded. Upon this the dog that he held in his hand began to howl, and turning toward Zobeide, held her head up in a supplicating posture; but
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