I
showed him the phial and told him thy name, and he knew thine
ailment and prescribed a remedy. Then, by his order, his son
made thee up this medicine; and there is not in Damascus a
comelier or more elegant youth than this son of his nor hath any
the like of his shop." Num took the box and seeing the names of
her lord and his father written thereon, changed colour and said
to herself, "Doubtless, the owner of this shop is come in search
of me." So she said to the old woman, "Describe this youth to
me." "His name is Nimeh," answered the old woman; "he is richly
clad and perfectly handsome and has a mole on his right eyebrow."
"Give me the medicine," cried Num, "and may the blessing and help
of God the Most High attend it!" So she drank off the potion and
said, laughing, "Indeed, it is a blessed medicine." Then she
sought in the box and finding the paper, read it and knew that
this was indeed her lord, whereat her heart was solaced and she
rejoiced. When the old woman saw her laughing, she exclaimed,
"This is indeed a blessed day!" And Num said, "O nurse, I
have a mind to eat and drink." So the old woman said to the
serving-women, "Bring a tray of dainty viands for your mistress;"
whereupon they set food before her and she sat down to eat.
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