22 oe Prince Beder and
f a

person. -He did not himself doubt, when he was dying, but. that

he should revive in you, and to your majesty it belongs to show

that he was not deceived.’

King Beder could no longer oppose such pressing entreaties :
he laid aside his mourning; and after he had resumed the royal
habit and ornaments, he began to provide for the necessities of ‘his
_ kingdom and subjects with the same care as before his father’s
death. He acquitted himself with universal approbation: and as
he was exact in maintaining the ordinances of his predecessor, ws
people did not’ feel they had changed their sovereign.

King Saleh, who had returned to his dominions in the sea
with the queen his mother and the princesses, no sooner saw that
_ King Beder had resumed the government, at the end of the month
than he came alone to visit him; and King Beder and Queen
_Gulnare were overjoyed to see him.

“One evening when they rose from table, they talked of various
matters. King Saleh began. with the praises of the king his nephew,
and expressed to the queen his sister how glad he was to see
him govern so prudently, all of which had acquired him great
reputation, not among his neighbours only, but more remote
princes. King Beder, who could not bear to hear himself so well
spoken ‘of, and not being willing, through good manners, to
interrupt the king his uncle, turned on one side to sleep, cee
his head against -a cushion that was behind him.

‘Sister, said King Saleh, ‘I wonder you have not thought of
marrying him ere this: if I mistake not, he is in his twentieth
year; and, at that age, no prince like him ought to be suffered .to
be without a wife. ‘I will think of a wife for him myself, since you -
will not, and marry him to some princess of our lower world that
may be worthy of him.’

‘Brother, replied Queen Gulnare, ‘I have never r thought of it to
this very moment, and I am glad you havé spoken of it to me. I