“From this story,” said the vazīr, “consider, O sul­tan, how deep is the artifice of women, and how little dependence should be placed upon their declarations.”*

On the seventh night the Damsel kindled a funeral pile, and affected to cast herself into it, when her attendants prevented her, and carrying her forcibly to the sultan, informed him of her attempt on her own life. The sultan exclaimed: “What could have induced thee to such rashness?” She replied: “If thou wilt not credit my assertions, I will certainly throw myself into the fire, when thou wilt be too late regretful on my account, as the prince repented of having unjustly punished the religious woman.” The sultan desired to know the particulars, and the Damsel said: