very day to see me; and I am
persuaded the little satisfaction he receives from his visits makes him
come no oftener. All his addresses tend to persuade me to break that
faith I have pledged to you, and to take him for my husband; giving me
to understand I need not entertain hopes of ever seeing you again, for
that you were dead, having had your head struck off by my father's
order. He added, to justify himself, that you were an ungrateful wretch;
that your good fortune was owing to him, and a great many other things
of that nature which I forbear to repeat: but as he received no other
answer from me but grievous complaints and tears, he was always forced
to retire with as little satisfaction as he came. I doubt not his
intention is to allow me time to overcome my grief, in hopes that
afterward I may change my sentiments. But my dear husband's presence
removes all my apprehensions."

"I am confident my attempts to punish the magician will not be in vain,"
replied Aladdin, "since my princess's fears are removed, and I think I
have found the means to deliver you from both your enemy and mine; to
execute this design, it is necessary for me to go to the town. I shall
return by noon, will then communicate my design, and what must be done
by you to ensure success. But that you may not be surprised, I think it
proper to acquaint you that I shall change my apparel, and beg of you
to give orders that I may not wait long at the private door, but that it
may be opened at the first knock."

When Aladdin was out of the palace, he looked round him on all sides,
and perceiving a peasant going into the country, hastened after him; and
when he had overtaken him, made a proposal to him to change habits,
which the man agreed to. When they had made the exchange, the countryman
went about his business, and Aladdin to the city. After traversing
several streets, he came to that part of the town where all descriptions
of merchants had their particular streets, according to their trades. He
went into that of the druggists; and going into one of the largest and
best-furnished shops, asked the druggist if he had a certain powder
which he named. The druggist, judging Aladdin by his habit to be very
poor, and that he had not money enough to pay for it, told him he had
it, but that it was very dear; upon which Aladdin penetrating his
thoughts, pulled out his purse, and showing him some gold, asked for
half a drachm of the powder; which the druggist