ring, fastened to a trap door of the same
metal. I took away the earth that covered it, and having lifted it up,
discovered a flight of stairs, which I descended with my ax in my
hand.

When I had reached the bottom I found myself in a palace, which was as
well lighted as if it had been above ground in the open air. I was
going forward along a gallery supported by pillars of jasper, the base
and capitals being of massy gold, when I saw a lady of a noble and
graceful air, and extremely beautiful, coming toward me.

I hastened to meet her; and as I was making a low obeisance she asked
me, "Are you a man, or a genie?"

"A man, madam," said I.

"By what adventure," said she, fetching a deep sigh, "are you come
hither? I have lived here for twenty-five years, and you are the
first man I have beheld in that time."

Her great beauty, and the sweetness and civility wherewith she
received me, emboldened me to say, "Madam, before I satisfy your
curiosity, give me leave to say that I am infinitely gratified with
this unexpected meeting, which offers me an occasion of consolation in
the midst of my affliction; and perhaps it may give me an opportunity
of making you also more happy than you are."

I then related my story to her from beginning to end.

"Alas! prince," she replied, sighing, "the most enchanting spots
cannot afford delight when we are there against our will. But hear now
my history. I am a princess, the daughter of a sultan, the king of the
Ebony Island, to which the precious wood found in it has given its
name.

"The king, my father, had chosen for my husband a prince, who was my
cousin; but on the very night of the bridal festivities, in the midst
of the rejoicings of the court, a genie took me away. I fainted with
alarm, and when I recovered I found myself in this place. I was long
inconsolable; but time and necessity have reconciled me to see the
genie. Twenty-five years I have passed in this place, in which I have
everything necessary for life and splendor.

"Every ten days," continued the princess, "the genie visits me. In the
meantime, if I have any occasion for him, I have only to touch a
talisman, and he appears. It is now four days since he was here, and I
have therefore to wait six days more before he again makes his
appearance. You, therefore, may remain five with me, if it be
agreeable to you, in order to keep me company; and I will endeavor to
regale and entertain you equal to your merit and