, according to
the custom of the East, a collation of different sherbets and dried
sweetmeats. The hangings concealed the sofa on which Aladin lay.

All these preparations being finished, the King and Queen retired to
their apartment. Bohetzad approached the sofa, opened the curtains,
and beheld his minister stretched upon it and asleep. He was instantly
seized with frantic indignation.

"What dreadful behaviour is this of yours?" said he to Baherjoa. "This
slave could not have got into your apartment and placed himself there
without your knowledge."

"Sire," replied the Queen, in astonishment, but without confusion, "in
the name of the great Prophet I swear that I have never spoken to this
young man. This is the first time I ever saw him, and in nothing have
I encouraged his audacity."

At the noise which was made around the sofa Aladin awoke, surprised
and astonished at his situation. He hastily arose.

"Traitor!" said the frantic King to him, "ingrate! is this thy
gratitude for my favour? Darest thou enter into my womens' apartment,
wretch that thou art? Speedily shalt thou receive the chastisement of
thy boldness."

Having said this, Bohetzad, inflamed with rage, ordered the chief of
his eunuchs to shut up the minister in prison. The monarch, agitated
with the most violent and opposite passions, spent the night without
closing his eyes. At daybreak he called to him the first of his
Viziers, who had not, for a long time, been admitted into his
presence. He told him of the insult which he supposed he had received.

At this recital the Vizier concealed his secret joy. Envy, hatred, and
revenge were about to triumph. It was no feeble victim which was
offered: it was a most powerful rival whom he had to crush. The old
courtier recollected himself. He endeavoured still further to
exasperate his Sovereign, and determine him to take distinguished
vengeance; and with a humble air he spoke as follows:

"Sire, your faithful subjects were astonished when they saw your
confidence bestowed upon an avowed son of a chief of the robbers. It
would have been too great an instance of your Majesty's goodness to
have admitted the branch of so corrupt a stock near your sacred
person. You could expect nothing from him but treachery and crimes."

At this speech of the Vizier, the eyes of the monarch sparkled with
rage. Immediately he ordered the young man to be brought before him,
loaded with chains.

"Wretch!" said he, as soon