THE CHRISTIAN MERCHANT’S STORY. 179

him it should be ready at any time that he should wish to come
for it or send any one to demand it.

A whole month passed without my seeing him ; at the end of
which time he appeared. “ Where,” he asked me, “are the four
thousand five hundred drachms of silver which you owe me?”
“They are all ready,” I replied, “and I will immediately count
them out to you.” As he was mounted upon an ass, I requested
him to alight and do me the honour to eat with me before he
received his money. “No,” he answered, “I have not time at
present ; I have some urgent business which requires my pre-
sence, and cannot stay, but in coming back I will call for my
money ; be so good as to have it ready for me.” Having said
this he went away. I waited for him a long time but it was to
no purpose. At the end of the third month, however, I saw him
come back mounted upon the same ass, but much more mag-
nificently dressed than he was before.

As soon as I perceived the young man I went out to meet him.
I entreated him to alight, and asked whether he wished me to .
count out the money which I had of his. “ Never mind that,”
he replied in a lively and contented manner ; “JT am inno hurry.
I know it is in good hands, and I will come and take it when I
shall have spent all I now have and nothing more remains.
Adieu,” added he, “and expect me again at the end of the week.”
At these words he gave his ass a cut with his whip and was out
of sight in a moment.

A whole year now passed before I heard anything of the young
man. At the end of this time he again appeared, and as richly
dressed as he had been the last time he came, but there seemed to
me to be something or other which affected his spirits. I en-
treated him so far to honour me as to come into my house. “TI
agree to it for this once,” he replied ; “but it is only on condition
that you put yourself to no additional trouble or expense on my
account.” “I will do exactly as you please,” I said, “if you will
favour me by coming in.” He immediately alighted and entered
my house. I then gave orders for the refreshments I wished to be
procured, and while they were getting ready we entered into con-
versation, and when the repast was served we sat down to table
The very first morsel he took I observed it was with his left hand,
and I continued all the time to be much astonished at never
seeing him make use of his right. I knew not what to think of