head and hands were joined on to the body, and left neither sign nor
scar. Full of gratitude, Ameer Ali tried to speak to her, but she ran
into the house and would not come back, and he was forced to leave her
and go away laden with the jewels.

When, on the day appointed, Ameer Ali produced a necklace and
bracelets each more beautiful and priceless than the last, the king's
astonishment knew no bounds, and as for his daughter she was nearly
mad with joy. The very next morning she put on all her finery, and
thought that now, at least, that disagreeable parrot could find no
fault with her appearance, and she listened eagerly when she heard the
starling say:

'Oh, Tote, how do you think our princess is looking _now_?'

'Very fine, no doubt,' grumbled the parrot; 'but what is the use of
dressing up like that for oneself only? She ought to have a
husband--why doesn't she marry the man who got her all these splendid
things?'

Then the princess sent for her father and told him that she wished to
marry Ameer Ali.

'My dear child,' said her father, 'you really are very difficult to
please, and want something new every day. It certainly is time you
married someone, and if you choose this man, of course he shall marry
you.'

So the king sent for Ameer Ali, and told him that within a month he
proposed to do him the honour of marrying him to the princess, and
making him heir to the throne.

On hearing this speech Ameer Ali bowed low and answered that he had
done and would do the king all the service that lay in his power, save
only this one thing. The king, who considered his daughter's hand a
prize for any man, flew into a passion, and the princess was more
furious still. Ameer Ali was instantly thrown into the most dismal
prison that they could find, and ordered to be kept there until the
king had time to think in what way he should be put to death.

Meanwhile the king determined that the princess ought in any case to
be married without delay, so he sent forth heralds throughout the
neighbouring countries, proclaiming that on a certain day any person
fitted for a bridegroom and heir to the throne should present himself
at the palace.

When the day came, all the court were gathered together, and a great
crowd assembled of men, young and old, who thought that they had as
good a chance as anyone else to gain both the throne and the princess.
As soon as the king was seated, he called upon an usher to summon the
first cla