minated with an infinite number of wax
candles, where a noble feast was served up. The dishes were of massy
gold, and contained the most delicate viands. The vases, basins, and
goblets were gold also, and of exquisite workmanship, and all the
other ornaments and embellishments of the hall were answerable to this
display. The princess, dazzled to see so much riches collected in one
place, said to Aladdin, "I thought, prince, that nothing in the world
was so beautiful as the sultan my father's palace, but the sight of
this hall alone is sufficient to show I was mistaken."

When the supper was ended, there entered a company of female
dancers,[45] who performed, according to the custom of the country,
singing at the same time verses in praise of the bride and bridegroom.
About midnight Aladdin's mother conducted the bride to the nuptial
apartment, and he soon after retired.

[Footnote 45: These were the "Nautch girls," attached to this day to
all Eastern courts.]

The next morning the attendants of Aladdin presented themselves to
dress him, and brought him another habit, as rich and magnificent as
that worn the day before. He then ordered one of the horses to be got
ready, mounted him, and went in the midst of a large troop of slaves
to the sultan's palace to entreat him to take a repast in the
princess's palace, attended by his grand vizier and all the lords of
his court. The sultan consented with pleasure, rose up immediately,
and, preceded by the principal officers of his palace, and followed by
all the great lords of his court, accompanied Aladdin.

The nearer the sultan approached Aladdin's palace, the more he was
struck with its beauty; but when he entered it, when he came into the
hall and saw the windows, enriched with diamonds, rubies, emeralds,
all large perfect stones, he was completely surprised, and said to his
son-in-law, "This palace is one of the wonders of the world; for where
in all the world besides shall we find walls built of massy gold and
silver, and diamonds, rubies, and emeralds composing the windows? But
what most surprises me is that a hall of this magnificence should be
left with one of its windows incomplete and unfinished."

"Sire," answered Aladdin, "the omission was by design, since I wished
that you should have the glory of finishing this hall."

"I take your intention kindly," said the sultan, "and will give orders
about it immediately."

After the sultan had finished this magnifice