Amgrad led her through so many
streets, lanes, and alleys, that both grew weary with walking: at
last, however, they came into a street, having a great gate at
the end of it, which, being shut, prevented their going further.
The gate, which had a seat on each side of it, belonged to a
house fronting the street. Amgrad sat himself down on one seat to
take breath, and the lady, being also much fatigued, seated
herself on the other.
She then inquired of the prince, whether the house belonged to
him. Yes, madam, said Amgrad. Why, then, do not you enter?
replied the lady. Whom do you wait for? Fair lady, answered the
prince, I have not got the key of the gate; I left it with my
slave, who, being sent on an errand, is not yet returned:
besides, having been ordered to provide something good for
dinner, I am afraid we shall be under the disagreeable necessity
of waiting a long time for him.
The prince met with so many difficulties in satisfying her
passion, that he began to repent of having undertaken it; he
therefore contrived this answer, in hopes that the lady, out of
resentment, would have left him, and gone in pursuit of another
lover; but he was mistaken.
Your slave is an impertinent fellow, said madam, to stay so long:
when he comes back, I will chastise him myself as he deserves, if
you refuse to do it.
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