and the maladythat would not departceased from him. Then he sat downbut she abode standing and I said to her'O my lady，why dost thou not sit？'Quoth she'I will not sitO Ibn Mensoursave on a condition that is between us.'And what is that？'asked I. 'None may know lovers'secrets，'answered she and putting her mouth to Jubeir's earwhispered to him；whereupon，'I hear and obey，'replied he and risingsaid somewhat privily to one of his slaveswho went out and returnedin a little，with a Cadi and two witnesses. Then Jubeir rose and taking a bag containing a hundred thousand dinarssaid'O Cadimarry me to this young lady and write this sum to her dowry.'Quoth the Cadi to her'Say'I consent to this.''I consent to this，'said shewhereupon he drew up the contract of marriageand she opened the bag and taking out a handful of goldgave it to the Cadi and the witnesses and handed the rest to Jubeir.
Then the Cadi and the witnesses withdrewand I sat with themin mirth and delighttill the most part of the night was pastwhen I said in myself'These are lovers and have been this long while separated. I will go now and sleep in some place afar from them and leave them to be privateone with the other.'So I rosebut she laid hold of my skirtssaying'What thinkest thou to do？'
'So and so，'answered I. But she rejoined'Sit stillwhen we would be rid of theewe will send thee away.'So I sat with them till near daybreakwhen she said to me'O Ibn Mensourgo to yonder chamber；for we have furnished it for theeand it is thy sleeping-place.'So I went thither and slept till morningwhen a page brought me basin and ewerand I made the ablution and prayed the morning-prayer. Then I sat down and presentlyJubeir and his mistress came out of the bath in the housewringing their locks.
I wished them good morning and gave them joy of their safety and reunionsaying to Jubeir'That which began with constraint hath ended in contentment.'Thou sayst well，'replied he；'and indeed thou deservest largesse.'And he called his treasurer and bade him fetch three thousand dinars. So he brought a purse containing that sumand Jubeir gave it to mesaying'Favour us by accepting this.'I will not take it，'answered I'till thou tell me the manner of the transfer of love from her to thee，after so great an aversion.'I hear and obey，'said he. 'Know that we have a festivalcalled the festival of the New Year，when all the people use to take boat and go a-pleasuring on the river. So I went outwith my comradesand saw a boatwherein were half a score damsels like moonsand amongst themthe lady Budourwith her lute in her hand. She preluded in eleven modes，then returning to the firstsang the following verses：
Fire is not so fierce and so hot as the fires in my heart that glowAnd granite itself is less hard than the heart of my lordI trow.
Indeedwhen I think on his make and his fashionI marvel to see A heart that is harder than rock in a body that's softer than snow.
Quoth I to her'Repeat the verses and the air.'But she would not；so I bade the boatmen pelt her with orangesand they pelted her till we feared her boat would sink. Then she went her way，and this is how the love was transferred from her breast to mine.'So I gave them joy of their reunion and taking the purse，with its contentsreturned to Baghdad.
When the Khalif heard Ibn Mensour's storyhis heart was lightened and the restlessness and oppression from which he suffered forsook him.
