'
And she took a stone and went up to the lock. 'Be not in haste,'
said Amjed; 'but have patience till the servant comes.' However,
she hearkened not to him, but smote the lock with the stone and
broke it in half, whereupon the door opened. Quoth he, 'What
possessed thee to do this?' 'Pooh, pooh, my lord!' answered she.
'What matters it? Is not the house thine?' 'Yes,' said he; 'but
there was no need to break the lock.' Then she entered, leaving
Amjed confounded and knowing not what to do for fear of the
people of the house; but she said to him, 'Why dost thou not
enter, O light of mine eyes and darling of my heart?' 'I hear
and obey,' answered he; 'but my servant tarries long upon me and
I know not if he have done aught of what I bade him or not.' So
saying, he entered, sore in fear of the people of the house, and
found himself in a handsome saloon, full of buffets and niches
and settles, furnished with stuffs of silk and brocade. It had
four raised recesses, each facing other, and in the midst was a
fountain of costly fashion, on whose margin stood a covered tray
(of meats), with a leather table-cloth hanging up and dishes set
with jewels, full of fruits and sweet-scented flowers. Hard by
stood drinking vessels and a candlestick with a candle therein.
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