thing wanting which I forgot to
mention; that is, to lay from the sultan's palace to the door of the
apartment designed for the princess, a carpet of fine velvet for her to
walk upon." The genie immediately disappeared, and Aladdin saw what he
desired executed in an instant. The genie then returned, and carried him
home before the gates of the sultan's palace were opened.

When the porters, who had always been used to an open prospect, came to
open the gates, they were amazed to find it obstructed, and to see a
carpet of velvet spread from the grand entrance. They did not
immediately look how far it extended, but when they could discern
Aladdin's palace distinctly, their surprise was increased. The news of
so extraordinary a wonder was presently spread through the palace. The
grand vizier, who arrived soon after the gates were open, being no less
amazed than others at this novelty, ran and acquainted the sultan, but
endeavoured to make him believe it to be all enchantment. "Vizier,"
replied the sultan, "why will you have it to be enchantment? You know as
well as I that it must be Aladdin's palace, which I gave him leave to
build, for the reception of my daughter. After the proof we have had of
his riches, can we think it strange that he should raise a palace in so
short a time? He wished to surprise us, and let us see what wonders are
to be done with money in only one night. Confess sincerely that the
enchantment you talk of proceeds from a little envy on account of your
son's disappointment."

When Aladdin had been conveyed home, and had dismissed the genie, he
found his mother up, and dressing herself in one of those suits which
had been brought her. By the time the sultan rose from the council,
Aladdin had prepared his mother to go to the palace with her slaves, and
desired her, if she saw the sultan, to tell him she should do herself
the honour toward evening to attend the princess to her palace.
Accordingly she went; but though she and the women slaves who followed
her were all dressed like sultanesses, yet the crowd was not near so
great as the preceding day, because they were all veiled, and each had
on an upper garment agreeable to the richness and magnificence of their
habits. Aladdin, taking care not to forget his wonderful lamp, mounted
his horse, left his paternal home forever, and went to the palace in the
same pomp as the day before.

As soon as the porters of the sultan's palace saw Aladdin's mother, th