WONDERFUL LAMP. 15

 

you.”—* Since I have been here,” replied the princess, “ he
comes once every day to see me; and I am persuaded that
the indifference of my manner towards him, and the evident
reluctance of my conversation, induces him to withhold more
frequent visits. All his endeavours are to persuade me to break
that faith I pledged to you, and to take him for a husband.
He frequently informs me that I have no hopes of seeing you
again, for that you are dead, having had your head struck
off by order of the sultan. He also calls you an ungrateful
wretch ; says that your good fortune was owing to him ; besides
many other things of asimilar kind. He, however, receives no
other answer from me than grief, complaints, and tears ; and he
is therefore always obliged to retire with evident dissatisfaction.
LT have but little doubt that his intention is to allow me some
time for my sorrow to subside, in hopes that my sentiments
may afterwards become changed ; but if I persevere in an
obstinate refusal, that he will use violence to compel me to
marry him. But your presence, Aladdin, subdues all my
apprehensions" —* I have great confidence,” replied Aladdin,
“since my princess's fears are diminished ; and I believe that
Ihave thought of the means to deliver you from our common
enemy. I shall return at noon, and will then communicate
my project to you, and tell you what must be done for its success.
But that you may not be surprised, it is well to inform you,
that I shall change my dress; and I must beg of you to give
orders that I may not wait long at the private gate, but that
it may be opened at the first knock.” All which the princess
Promised to observe.

When Aladdin went out of the palace, he perceived a coun-
tryman before him, and having come up with him, made a
Proposal to change clothes, to which the man agreed. ‘They
accordingly went behind a hedge, and made the exchange.