Indeed, it was so beautiful, that, the
moment it was seen, it was preferred to every other colour. Saladin's
shop was soon crowded with customers; and his winning manners and
pleasant conversation were almost as advantageous to him as his scarlet
dye. On the contrary, I observed that the first glance at my melancholy
countenance was sufficient to disgust every one who saw me. I perceived
this plainly; and it only confirmed me the more in my belief in my own
evil destiny.
"It happened one day that a lady, richly apparelled and attended by two
female slaves, came to my brother's house to make some purchases. He was
out, and I alone was left to attend to the shop. After she had looked
over some goods, she chanced to see my china vase, which was in the room.
She took a prodigious fancy to it, and offered me any price if I would
part with it; but this I declined doing, because I believed that I should
draw down upon my head some dreadful calamity if I voluntarily
relinquished the talisman. Irritated by my refusal, the lady, according
to the custom of her sex, became more resolute in her purpose; but
neither entreaties nor money could change my determination. Provoked
beyond measure at my obstinacy, as she called it, she left the house.
"On my brother's return, I related to him what had happened, and expected
that he would have praised me for my prudence; but, on the contrary, he
blamed me for the superstitious value I set upon the verses on my vase;
and observed that it would be the height of folly to lose a certain means
of advancing my fortune for the uncertain hope of magical protection.
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