88 we | Prince Ahmed

‘My queen,’ replied the prince, ‘if you are offended at the leave I
asked, I entreat you to forgive me, and I will make all the reparation
I can. I did not do it with any intention of displeasing you, but
from a motive of respect towards my father, whom I wish to free
from the affliction in which my long absence must have overwhelmed
him ; indeed I have reason to think he believes me dead.’

‘Prince, said she, ‘I am so fully convinced that I can depend
upon your sincerity, that I grant you leave to go, on condition —
that your absence shall not be long’

Prince Ahmed would have thrown himself at the fairy’s feet,
to show his gratitude; but she prevented him.

‘Prince, said she, ‘go when you please; but first do not take
it amiss if I give you some advice how you shall conduct yourself
where you are going. First, I do not think it proper for you to
tell the sultan your father of our marriage, nor what I am, nor the
place where you are settled. Beg him to be satisfied with knowing
that you are happy, and that you desire no more; and let him
know that the sole end of your visit is to make hin easy about
your fate.

She appointed twenty horsemen, well mounted and earpned, to ”
attend him. When all was ready, Prince Ahmed took leave of the
fairy, embraced her, and renewed his promise to return soon. Then
his horse, which was as beautiful a creature as any in the Sultan
of the Indies’ stables, was-brought, and he mounted him with an
extraordinary grace, which gave great pleasure to the fairy, and
after he had bid her:a last adieu, set out on his journey.

As it was not a great way to his father’s capital, Prince Ahmed

-soon arrived there. The people, glad to see him again, received :
him with acclamations, and followed him in crowds to the ‘sultan’s
‘palace. The sultan received and embraced him with great joy $
complaining at the same time, with a fatherly tenderness, of the.
affliction his long absence had been to him; which he said was