THE BARBER’S FIFTH BROTHER. 245

I will dress myself like a prince, and will parade through the
town, mounted on a fine horse, the saddle of which shall be of
pure gold, and the caparisons of gold stuff, relieved with dia-
monds and pearls. I will be accompanied by slaves, and will
thus proceed to the palace of the vizier. When I shall have
dismounted -at the grand vizier’s, he, in receiving me for his son-
in-law, shall give me his place, and seat himself before me, in
order to shew me the more respect.

“T will then return home with the same pomp. My wife will
send some officer to compliment me on my visit to her father.
I will bestow a beautiful robe of honour on the officer, and send
him back with a rich present. If in return she shall wish to
make me a present, I will refuse it, and dismiss the person who
brings it. I will not, moreover, permit her to leave her apart-
ments upon any account whatever, without first consulting me ;
and whenever I wish to go to her, it shall always be in a way
that shall impress her with the greatest respect for me. In
short, no house shall be so well regulated as mine. I will always
appear magnificently dressed ; and whenever I wish to pass the
evening with her, I will sit in the most honourable seat, where
I will affect a grave and solemn air; nor will I turn my head to
the right or left. I will speak but little; and while my wife,
beautiful as the moon at the full, presents herself before me in
all her splendour, I will pretend not to see her. I will thus
begin, on the very first day of my marriage, to teach her how
she may expect to be treated during the remainder of her life.

“The next day she will not fail to complain to her mother, the
lady of the grand vizier, of my pride and neglect, and this will .
very much delight me. Her mother will then come to see me,
and out of respect take and kiss my hands, and say to me, ‘My
lord, I entreat you not to despise my child in such a manner,
nor keep her at such a distance ; I assure you she will always
endeavour to please you, and I know her whole heart is devoted
to you.” Although my mother-in-law shall address me so re-
spectfully and kindly, I will not answer her a word, but remain
as grave and solemn as ever.

“‘ My mother-in-law will then take a glass of wine, and putting
it into my wife’s hand, will say, ‘ Go and present him this glass of
wine yourself ; he will not, perhaps, have the cruelty to refuse it
trom so beautiful a hand.” My wife will then take the glass, and