the Princess of China i & 149

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they had reason to tremble on approaching the place whither I
go, and where I am sure to find my happiness. He had just spoken
these words as he was at the door. The officer opened it, and
introduced him into a great hall, whence was an entrance into the
princess’s chamber, divided from it only by a piece of tapestry.’

Prince Camaralzaman stopt before he entered, speaking softly to
the officer for fear of being heard in the princess’s chamber. ‘To
convince you, said he, ‘that there is neither presumption, nor whim,
nor youthful conceit in my undertaking, I leave it to your own desire
whether I should cure the princess in your presence, or where we
are, without going any further?’

The officer was amazed to hear the prince talk to him with
such confidence: he left off insulting him, and said seriously, ‘It
is no matter whether you do it here or there, provided the
business is done: cure her how you will, you will get immortal
honour by it, not only in this court, but over all the world’

The prince replied, ‘It will be best then to cure her without
seeing her, that you may be witness of my skill: notwithstanding
my impatience to see a princess of her rank, who is to be my
wife, yet, out of respect to you, I will deprive myself of that
pleasure for a little while’ He was furnished with everything
suitable for an astrologer to carry about him; and taking pen, ink,
and paper out of his pocket, he wrote a letter to the princess.

When the prince had finished his letter, he folded it up,
and enclosed in it the princess’s ring, without letting the officer
see what he did. When he had sealed it, he gave it to him:
‘There, friend, said he, ‘carry it to your mistress ; if it does not
cure her as soon as she reads it, and sees what is inclosed in
it, I give you leave to tell everybody that I am the most
ignorant and impudent astrologer that ever was, is, or shall be.’

The officer, entering the Princess of China’s chamber, gave her
the packet he received from Prince Camaralzaman. ‘Madam,’ said