said Aladdin; "thou hast
hitherto brought me whatever I wanted as to provisions; but now I have
business of the greatest importance for thee to execute. I have demanded
the Princess Badroulboudour in marriage of the sultan, her father; he
promised her to me, only requiring three months' delay; but instead of
keeping that promise, has this night planned to marry her to the grand
vizier's son. What I ask of you is, that as soon as the two are made
one, you bring them both hither to me." "Master," replied the genie, "I
will obey you. Have you any other commands?" "None at present," answered
Aladdin, and then the genie disappeared.

Aladdin having left his chamber, supped with his mother, with the same
tranquillity of mind as usual; and after supper talked of the princess's
marriage as of an affair wherein he had not the least concern; he then
retired to his own chamber again, but sat up waiting the execution of
his orders to the genie.

In the meantime, everything was prepared with the greatest magnificence
in the sultan's palace to celebrate the princess's nuptials; and the
evening was spent with all the usual ceremonies and great rejoicings.

No sooner had the bride and bridegroom slipped away from the company,
however, than the genie, as the faithful slave of the lamp, and punctual
in executing the command of those who possessed it, to the great
amazement of them both, took them up and transported them in an instant
to Aladdin's chamber, where he set them down.

Aladdin had waited impatiently for this moment. "Take this new-married
man," said he to the genie, "shut him up in the house of office, and
come again to-morrow morning before daybreak." The genie instantly
carried the vizier's son whither Aladdin had commanded him; and after he
had breathed upon him, which prevented his stirring, left him there.

Passionate as was Aladdin's love for the princess, he did not talk much
to her when they were alone; but only said with a respectful air: "Fear
nothing, adorable princess; you are here in safety. If I have been
forced to come to this extremity, it is to prevent an unjust rival's
possessing you, contrary to your father's promise in favour of myself."

The princess, who knew nothing of these particulars, gave very little
attention to what Aladdin could say. The fright and amazement of so
surprising an adventure had alarmed her so much that he could not get
one word from her. Badroulboudour never passed a night so i