ance? I know how to revenge your presumption in
daring to prefer another to me, and I swear that your daughter
shall be married to the most contemptible and ugly of my slaves.'
Having thus spoken, he angrily commanded the vizier to quit his
presence. The vizier retired to his palace full of confusion, and
overwhelmed in despair.

"This very day the sultan sent for one of his grooms, who is
hump-backed, big-bellied, crook legged, and as ugly as a
hobgoblin; and after having commanded the vizier to marry his
daughter to this ghastly slave, he caused the contract to be made
and signed by witnesses in his own presence. The preparations for
this fantastical wedding are all ready, and this very moment all
the slaves belonging to the lords of the court of Egypt are
waiting at the door of a bath, each with a flambeau in his hand,
for the crook-back groom, who is bathing, to go along with them
to his bride, who is already dressed to receive him; and when I
departed from Cairo, the ladies met for that purpose were going
to conduct her in her nuptial attire to the hall, where she is to
receive her hump-backed bridegroom, and is this minute expecting
him. I have seen her, and do assure you, that no person can
behold her without admiration."

When the perie left off speaking, the genie said to her, "Whatever you
think or say, I cannot be persuaded that the girl's beauty exceeds
that of this young man." "I will not dispute it with you," answered
the perie; "for I must confess he deserves to be married to that
charming creature, whom they design for hump-back; and I think it were
a deed worthy of us to obstruct the sultan of Egypt's injustice, and
put this young gentleman in the room of the slave." "You are in the
right," answered the genie; "I am extremely obliged to you for so good
a thought; let us deceive him. I consent to your revenge upon the
sultan of Egypt; let us comfort a distressed father, and make his
daughter as happy as she thinks herself miserable. I will do my utmost
endeavours to make this project succeed, and I am persuaded you will
not be backward. I will be at the pains to carry him to Cairo before
he awakes, and afterwards leave it to your care to carry him
elsewhere, when we have accomplished our design."

The perie and the genie having thus concerted what they had to do, the
genie lifted up Buddir ad Deen Houssun gently, and with an
inconceivable swiftness conveyed him through the air and set him down
at th