"For
they are all," said she, "and each in her own way, houris for
beauty."
"And this man was a Christian dog once!" murmured the Sultan.
Then his brow suddenly grew smooth, and he observed:
"Ashimullah himself will know; and, indeed, it is time that I
gave a new sign of my favor to my trusted servant Ashimullah."
Therefore he sent for Ashimullah, and spoke to him with unbounded
graciousness.
"Ashimullah, my faithful servant," said he, "I am mindful to
confer upon you a great and signal favor; desiring to recognize
not only your services to my throne, but also and more especially
your ready and willing obedience in the matter of your wives.
Therefore I have decided to exalt you and your household in
the eyes of all the Faithful, and of the whole world, by taking
from your house a wife for myself."
When Ashimullah heard this he went very pale, although, in truth,
what the Sultan proposed to do was always held the highest of
honors.
"And since so good and loyal a servant," pursued the Sultan,
"would desire to offer to his Sovereign nothing but the best of
all that he has, tell me, O Ashimullah, which of your wives is
fairest, that I may take her and exalt her as I have proposed."
Ashimullah was now in great agitation, and he stammered in his
confusion:
"My wives are indeed fair; but, O Most Potent and Fearful
Majesty, they have, one and all, most diabolical tempers."
"Surely by now I have learned how to deal with the tempers of
women," said the Sultan, raising his brows.
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