noured mother, forgive me if I have failed in the respect I owe
you. My mind is so full of the extraordinary circumstances which have
befallen me that I have not yet recovered from my amazement and alarm."
She then related her surprising adventures, which the sultaness heard
very patiently, but could scarcely believe. "You did well, child," said
she, "not to speak of this to your father: take care not to mention it
to anybody; for you will certainly be thought mad if you talk in this
manner." "Madam," replied the princess, "I can assure you I am in my
right senses; ask my husband and he will tell you the same
circumstances." "I will," said the sultaness; "but if he should talk in
the same manner, I shall not be better persuaded of the truth. Come,
rise, and throw off this idle fancy; it will be strange if all the
feasts and rejoicings in the kingdom should be interrupted by such a
vision. Do not you hear the trumpets of congratulation, and concerts of
the finest music? Cannot these inspire you with joy and make you forget
the fancies of a dream?" At the same time the sultaness called the
princess's women, and after she had seen her get up, went to the
sultan's apartment, told him that her daughter had got some odd notions
in her head, but that there was nothing in them but idle phantasy.

She then sent for the vizier's son, to know of him something of what the
princess had told her; but he, thinking himself highly honoured to be
allied to the sultan, and not willing to lose the princess, denied what
had happened. "That is enough," answered the sultaness; "I ask no more.
I see you are wiser than my daughter."

The rejoicings lasted all that day in the palace, and the sultaness, who
never left the princess, forgot nothing to divert her, and induce her to
take part in the various diversions and shows; but she was so struck
with the idea of what had happened to her in the night, that it was easy
to see her thoughts were entirely taken up with it. Neither was the
grand vizier's son in less tribulation, though his ambition made him
disguise his feelings so well, that nobody doubted of his being a happy
bridegroom.

Aladdin, who was well acquainted with what passed in the palace, was
resolved that the troublesome adventure of the night before should again
disturb the unhappy pair, and therefore had recourse to his lamp, and
when the genie appeared and offered his service, he said to him: "Bring
the grand vizier's son and the