as more than sufficient to merit his
being received into royal alliance; therefore, consulting his master's
feelings, he returned this answer: "I am so far from having any thoughts
that the person who has made your majesty so noble a present is unworthy
of the honour you would do him, that I should say he deserved much more,
if I were not persuaded that the greatest treasure in the world ought
not to be put in competition with the princess, your majesty's
daughter."

The sultan made no longer hesitation, nor thought of informing himself
whether Aladdin was endowed with all the qualifications requisite in one
who aspired to be his son-in-law. The sight alone of such immense
riches, and Aladdin's quickness in satisfying his demand, without
starting the least difficulty at the exorbitant conditions he had
imposed, easily persuaded him that he could want nothing to render him
accomplished, and such as he desired. Therefore, to send Aladdin's
mother back with all the satisfaction she could desire, he said to her:
"My good lady, go and tell your son that I wait with open arms to
embrace him, and the more haste he makes to come and receive the
princess, my daughter, from my hands, the greater pleasure he will do
me."

As soon as the tailor's widow had retired, overjoyed to see her son
raised to such exalted fortune, the sultan put an end to the audience;
and rising from his throne, ordered that the princess's eunuchs should
come and carry the trays into their mistress's apartment, whither he
went himself to examine them with her at his leisure. The fourscore
slaves were conducted into the palace; and the sultan, telling the
princess of their magnificent appearance, ordered them to be brought
before her apartment, that she might see through the lattices that he
had not exaggerated in his account of them.

In the meantime, Aladdin's mother got home, and shewed in her
countenance the good news she brought her son. "My son," said she to
him, "you have now all the reason in the world to be pleased. The
sultan, with the approbation of the whole court, has declared that you
are worthy to possess the Princess Badroulboudour, and waits to embrace
you, and conclude your marriage; therefore, you must think of making
preparations for your interview, which may answer the high opinion he
has formed of your person."

Aladdin, enraptured with this news, made little reply, but retired to
his chamber. There, after he had rubbed the lamp, w