you may tell him I will fulfill my promise as soon as he shall send me
forty trays of massy gold, full of the same sort of jewels you have
already made me a present of, and carried by the like number of black
slaves, who shall be led by as many young and handsome white slaves,
all dressed magnificently. On these conditions I am ready to bestow
the princess my daughter upon him; therefore, good woman, go and tell
him so, and I will wait till you bring me his answer."

Aladdin's mother prostrated herself a second time before the sultan's
throne, and retired. On her way home, she laughed within herself at
her son's foolish imagination. "Where," said she, "can he get so many
large gold trays, and such precious stones to fill them? It is
altogether out of his power, and I believe he will not be much pleased
with my embassy this time."

When she came home, full of these thoughts, she told Aladdin all the
circumstances of her interview with the sultan, and the conditions on
which he consented to the marriage. "The sultan expects your answer
immediately," said she; and then added, laughing, "I believe he may
wait long enough!"

"Not so long, mother, as you imagine," replied Aladdin. "This demand
is a mere trifle, and will prove no bar to my marriage with the
princess. I will prepare at once to satisfy his request."

Aladdin retired to his own apartment and summoned the genie of the
lamp, and required him to immediately prepare and present the gift,
before the sultan closed his morning audience, according to the terms
in which it had been prescribed. The genie professed his obedience to
the owner of the lamp, and disappeared. Within a very short time, a
train of forty black slaves, led by the same number of white slaves,
appeared opposite the house in which Aladdin lived. Each black slave
carried on his head a basin of massy gold, full of pearls, diamonds,
rubies, and emeralds.

Aladdin then addressed his mother: "Madam, pray lose no time; before
the sultan and the divan rise, I would have you return to the palace
with this present as the dowry demanded for the princess, that he may
judge by my diligence and exactness of the ardent and sincere desire I
have to procure myself the honor of this alliance."

As soon as this magnificent procession, with Aladdin's mother at its
head, had begun to march from Aladdin's house, the whole city was
filled with the crowds of people desirous to see so grand a sight. The
graceful beari