"'Why,' said my spouse, 'do you leave your lute lying upon the ground?'
"'I cannot sing the fidelity of men,' answered Zaliza, 'for I do not believe it. Halechalbe,' continued she, 'is very amiable; he undoubtedly loves you, and who would not? But I do not believe that his affection is equal to yours, or that he is more faithful than another: of this I can give proofs whenever they are required.'
"These base and perfidious words infused the most fatal jealousy into the heart of my spouse: she gave me no opportunity, however, of perceiving that she entertained any suspicions. At the time fixed between us, I returned to my father's house and my ordinary business, and when I went back to the lady I was received as kindly and affectionately as before.
"One day I was in my shop, when, about two hours before the usual time of the old woman's arrival to conduct me to my spouse, the public crier proclaimed in the street a golden censer set with diamonds, to be sold for two thousand sequins. I ordered a slave to call the crier.
"'Who is the proprietor of that censer?' said I to him.
"'It belongs,' answered he, 'to a young lady, whom you behold there;' at the same time he pointed out a handsome and well-dressed woman, and I desired him to bid her speak with me.
"The woman took the censer from the crier, gave him a reward, and advanced towards me.
"'Madam,' said I, 'since this censer belongs to you, I know where to place it; will you allow me to have it?'
"'Since it pleases you, Halechalbe,' said the lady, 'it is yours, and I demand nothing in return.'
"'I am not accustomed,' answered I, 'to make such bargains.'