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to obtain him for a son-in-law. Whilst Thaljìyeh was having her supper, he approached the cave- dwelling, having, as it happened, noticed and picked up the girl’s shoe on his way. Hearing a man’s step, the girl sprang up hastily and hid herself in a dark corner of the cave, where she could see and hear without herself being seen. “My aunt,” said the youth, addressing the old woman, “have you got all the thread spun ready for my new ’abâyeh?” “I shall have it finished by to-morrow at noon,” answered the old woman, “but what have you got in your hand?” “It is a girl’s shoe which I have just picked up,” answered the youth, “and it is so small and pretty that its owner must be a very beautiful maiden, and therefore—Wallahi! Wallahi! Wallahi!—I shall search for her, and when I have found her, she, and no other, shall become my wife.” The old woman was pleased with this impetuous speech; but, being wise, she said nothing to the young man, but laughingly bade him meet her at the dyer’s the next day.

Next morning, having finished her task, the old woman left Thaljìyeh alone in the cave, having enjoined her to keep the door closed and not to answer the young man, should he, as she suspected he would, come again to ask if the thread was all ready. Things fell out as Thaljìyeh's grandmother thought they would. The young man, who had thought she was only putting him off with the promise that the thread would be ready that day, came to the cave instead of going to meet her at the dyer’s shop. He found the door closed, and received no answer