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When Scheich Ibrahim came to his guests again, Noor ad Deen asked him whether he had any liquor to treat them with. "What liquor would you have?" replied Scheich Ibrahim "Sherbet? I have the best in the world; but sherbet, you know, my son, is never drunk after supper."
The fair Persian presently advanced towards Scheich Ibrahim, and speaking in a low voice, "Look at him," said she, "thus in all our merry parties he constantly serves me; and no sooner has he drunk a cup or two, but he falls asleep, and leaves me alone; but I hope you will have the goodness to keep me company till he awakes."
"Heaven defend me from keeping wine in my house," cried Scheich Ibrahim, "and from ever coming to a place where any is found! A man who, like me, has been a pilgrimage four times to Mecca, has renounced wine for ever."
"Good father," said he, "Heaven preserve you!" "What do you want, my son?" replied Scheich Ibrahim; "who are you, and whence came you?" "We are strangers newly arrived," answered Noor ad Deen, "and would fain tarry here till to-morrow."
The good old man loved a chirruping cup to his heart, but was ashamed to drink among strangers. While Scheich Ibrahim was eating fruit after his draught, the fair Persian filled him out another, which he received with less difficulty than the former, but made none at all at the third.
"Scheich Ibrahim," said she to the good old officer, "you have afforded us but one candle, when there are so many wax- lights yonder; pray do us the favour to light some of them, that we may see a little better what we are doing."
When supper was finished, and they had washed their hands, Noor ad Deen opened a lattice, and calling the fair Persian to him, "Come hither," said he, "and with me admire the charming prospect and beauty of the garden by moon-light; nothing can be more agreeable." She came to him; and they both enjoyed the view, while Scheich Ibrahim was busy in taking away the cloth.
Some excuse must be made to appease the caliph's anger. "Commander of the true believers," said he, "all that I can say to your majesty about this matter is, that some five or six days ago Scheich Ibrahim came to acquaint me, that he had a design to assemble the ministers of his mosque, to assist at a ceremony he was ambitious of performing in honour of your majesty's auspicious reign.
"Scheich Ibrahim," said he, "we are your guests; you have entertained us in the most obliging manner, and will you now refuse our solicitations to honour us with your company? We do not ask you to drink, but only the favour of seeing you." Scheich Ibrahim being at last prevailed upon, came into the hall, and sat down on the edge of a sofa nearest to the door.
He could contain himself no longer; but thrusting his head in at the door, "Courage, sir," said he to Noor ad Deen, whom he took to be quite drunk, "I am glad to see you so pleased." "Ah! Scheich Ibrahim," cried Noor ad Deen, turning to him, "you are a glorious man, and we are extremely obliged to you.
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