120 THE AKABIAN NIGHTS.

money he thus got together, and with what he received also
with my sister, they both of them went over to Africa. Her
husband there squandered away, in good living and dissipation,
not only all his own fortune, but also that which my sister brought
him. At length, finding himself reduced to the greatest distress,
he found out some pretext for a divorce, and drove her from
him.

She returned to Bagdad, but not without suffering almost
incredible evils during so long a journey. She came to seek a
refuge at my house, in a state so deserving of pity, that she
would have excited it even in the most obdurate hearts. I
received her with every mark of affection she could expect from
me; I inquired of her how she came to be in so wretched a
condition ; she informed me, with tears in her eyes, of the bad
conduct of her husband, and of the unworthy treatment she had
experienced from him. I was affected at her misfortunes, and
mingled my tears with hers. I then made her go tv the bath,
and supplied her from my own wardrobe ; this being done, I
addressed these words to her: “You are my elder sister, and I
shall always look upon you as amother. During your absence, .
Heaven has caused the little fortune which has fallen to my lot
to prosper, and the occupation I have followed has been that of
rearing silk-worms. Be assured, that everything I possess is
equally yours, and that you have the same power of disposing
of it as myself.”

From this time we lived together in the same house for many
months in perfect harmony. We often talked about our other
sister, and were much surprised at never hearing anything of
her. At last she unexpectedly arrived, and in as miserable a
state as the eldest had done. Her husband had ill-treated her
in a similar manner, and I received her with the same kindness,

Some time after this, both my sisters having heard of the
death of their husbands, under the pretence, as they said, that
they were a considerable burden to me, informed me that they
had thoughts of marrying again. I told them, that if the only
reason for this intention was the idea of being an expense to me,
1 begged they would continue to live with me without thinking
of that, as my income was sufficient for us all three to live in the
style and manner suitable to our condition ; but I added, “J
rather think you really wish te marry again. If that be the fact,