eanour. By his
acquaintance among the jewellers, he came to know that the fruits which
he had gathered when he took the lamp were, instead of coloured glass,
stones of inestimable value; but he had the prudence not to mention this
to any one, not even to his mother.

One day as Aladdin was walking about the town, he heard an order
proclaimed, commanding the people to shut up their shops and houses, and
keep within doors, while the Princess Badroulboudour, the sultan's
daughter, went to the baths and returned.

This proclamation inspired Aladdin with eager curiosity to see the
princess's face, which he could not do without admission into the house
of some acquaintance, and then only through a window; but to gratify his
curiosity, he presently thought of a scheme, which succeeded; it was to
place himself behind the door of the bath, which was so situated that he
could not fail of seeing her face.

Aladdin had not waited long before the princess came, and he could see
her plainly through a chink of the door without being discovered. She
was attended by a great crowd of ladies, slaves, and eunuchs, who walked
on each side, and behind her. When she came within three or four paces
of the door of the baths, she took off her veil, and gave Aladdin an
opportunity of a full view.

As soon as Aladdin had seen the princess, his heart could not withstand
those inclinations so charming an object always inspires. She was the
most beautiful brunette in the world; her eyes were large, lively, and
sparkling; her looks sweet and modest; her nose was of a just proportion
and without a fault, her mouth small, her lips of a vermilion red; in a
word, all the features of her face were perfectly regular. It is not
therefore surprising that Aladdin, who had never before seen such a
blaze of charms, was dazzled, and his senses ravished by such an
assemblage. With all these perfections the princess had so majestic an
air, that the sight of her was sufficient to inspire love and
admiration.

After the princess had passed by, and entered the baths, Aladdin
remained some time astonished and in a kind of ecstasy, retracing and
imprinting the idea of so charming an object deeply in his mind, but at
last, he resolved to quit his hiding-place and go home. He could not so
far conceal his uneasiness but that his mother perceived it, was
surprised to see him so much more thoughtful than usual; and asked if he
were ill? He returned her no answer, but s