04 oF Prince Ahmed

The fairy Pari Banou came with all haste, not knowing what
made Prince Ahmed return so soon. Not giving her time to ask him,
he said, ‘My princess, I desire you would have compassion on this
good woman,’ pointing to the magician, who was taken off the horse
by two cf his retinue: ‘I found her in the condition you see, and
promised her the assistance she stands in need of. I commend her
to your care, and am persuaded that you will not abandon her,’

The fairy Pari Banou, who had her eyes fixed upon the pretended
sick woman all the time that the prince was talking, ordered two of
the women who followed her to take her from the two men that
held her up, and carry her into the palace, and take as much care
of her as they could.:

Whilst the two women executed the fairy’s commands, she went
up ‘to- Prince Ahmed, and whispering in his ear said, ‘Prince, I
commend your compassion, which is worthy of you, but give me leave
to tell you that I am afraid it will be but ill rewarded. This woman
is not so ill as she pretends to be; and J am very much mistaken if
she is not sent hither on purpose to cause you great trouble. But do
not be concerned, let what will be devised against you ; be persuaded
that I will deliver you out of all the snares that ney be laid for you.
Go and pursue your journey.’

This discourse of the fairy’s did not in the least alarm Prince
Ahmed. ‘My princess,’ said he, ‘as I do not remember I ever did,
or designed to do, anybody-an injury, I cannot believe anybody can »
have a thought of doing me one ; but if they have, I shall not forbear _
doing good whenever-I have an opportunity,’ So saying, he took
leave of the fairy, and set out again for his father’s capital, where he
soon arrived, and was received as usual by the sultan, who restrained
himself as much as possible, to disguise the trouble arising from the
suspicions suggested by his favourites.

In the: meantime, the -two. women to whom the fairy Pari Banou
had given her orders carried the magician into a very fine apartment,