g without asking our advice."

"I commend your brotherly affection," answered the emperor. "Consult
your sister, then meet me here to-morrow, and give me an answer."

The princes went home, but neglected to speak of their adventure in
meeting the emperor, and hunting with him, and also of the honor he
had done them by asking them to go home with him; yet did not the next
morning fail to meet him at the place appointed.

"Well," said the emperor, "have you spoken to your sister? And has she
consented to the pleasure I expect of seeing you?"

The two princes looked at each other and blushed.

"Sire," said Prince Bahman, "we beg your majesty to excuse us; for
both my brother and I forgot."

"Then remember to-day," replied the emperor, "and be sure to bring me
an answer to-morrow."

The princes were guilty of the same fault a second time, and the
emperor was so good-natured as to forgive their negligence; but to
prevent their forgetfulness the third time, he pulled three little
golden balls out of a purse, and put them into Prince Bahman's bosom.

"These balls," said he, smiling, "will prevent you forgetting a third
time what I wish you to do, since the noise they will make by falling
on the floor, when you undress, will remind you, if you do not
recollect it before."

The event happened just as the emperor foresaw; and without these
balls the princes had not thought of speaking to their sister of this
affair. For as Prince Bahman unloosened his girdle to go to bed the
balls dropped on the floor, upon which he ran into Prince Perviz's
chamber, when both went into the Princess Perie-zadeh's apartment, and
after they had asked her pardon for coming at so unseasonable a time,
they told her all the circumstances of their meeting the emperor.

The princess was somewhat surprised at this intelligence. "It was on
my account, I know," she said, "you refused the emperor, and I am
infinitely obliged to you for doing so. For, my dear brothers, I know
by this your affection for me is equal to my own. But you know
monarchs will be obeyed in their desires, and it may be dangerous to
oppose them; therefore, if to follow my inclination I should dissuade
you from showing the complaisance the emperor expects from you, it may
expose you to his resentment, and may render myself and you miserable.
These are my sentiments; but before we conclude upon anything let us
consult the speaking-bird, and hear what he says; he is wise, and has