in, that it was he who had taken the old lamp in exchange for a
new one. However, the opportunity of taking the revenge he deserved made
her resolve to gratify Aladdin. As soon, therefore, as he was gone, she
sat down to dress, and was attired by her women to the best advantage
in the richest habit of her wardrobe. Her girdle was of the finest and
largest diamonds set in gold, her necklace of pearls, six on a side, so
well proportioned to that in the middle, which was the largest ever
seen, that the greatest sultanesses would have been proud to have been
adorned with only two of the smallest. Her bracelets, which were of
diamonds and rubies intermixed, corresponded admirably to the richness
of the girdle and necklace.

When the Princess Badroulboudour was completely dressed, she consulted
her glass and women upon her adjustment; and when she found she wanted
no charms to flatter the foolish passion of the African magician, she
sat down on a sofa expecting his arrival. The magician came at the usual
hour, and as soon as he entered the great hall where the princess waited
to receive him, she rose with an enchanting grace and smile, and pointed
with her hand to the most honourable place, waiting till he sat down,
that she might sit at the same time, which was a civility she had never
shown him before.

The African magician, dazzled more with the lustre of the princess's
eyes than the glittering of her jewels, was much surprised. The smiling
air with which she received him, so opposite to her former behaviour,
quite fascinated his heart. When he was seated, the princess, to free
him from his embarrassment, broke silence first, looking at him all the
time in such a manner as to make him believe that he was not so odious
to her as she had given him to understand hitherto, and said; "You are
doubtless amazed to find me so much altered to-day; but your surprise
will not be so great when I acquaint you, that I am naturally of a
disposition so opposite to melancholy and grief, that I always strive to
put them as far away as possible when I find the subject of them is
past. I have reflected on what you told me of Aladdin's fate, and know
my father's temper so well that I am persuaded, with you, he could not
escape the terrible effects of the sultan's rage: therefore, should I
continue to lament him all my life, my tears cannot recall him. For this
reason, since I have paid all the duties decency requires of me to his
memory, now