318 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS’ ENTERTAINMENTS.

 

whelmed with affliction. On the morrow she determined to carry out
a design which demanded courage unusual in her sex. She commanded
her attendants not to say nor do anything that might excite the slightest
suspicion. She then changed her dress for one of Camaralzaman’s,
whom she resembled so strongly that his people took her for the prince
himself, on the following morning, when she made her appearance and
commanded them to pack up the baggage, and proceed on their journey.
When all was ready, one of her women took her place in the litter, and
she herself mounted a horse, and they set off.

After a journey of several months the princess, disguised as Prince
Camaralzaman, arrived at the capital of the Isle of Ebony. The intel-
ligence soon reached the palace of the king.

King Armanos (for that was his name), accompanied by his court,
received the princess as the son of a king who was his friend and ally,
and conducted her to his palace, where he lodged her and her whole
suite.

When three days were expired, King Armanos, being quite charmed
with the princess, whom he still supposed to be really Prince Camaral-
zaman, proposed that he should postpone his return home, and should
unite himself in marriage to his only daughter, the sole heiress of his
dominion. Badoura was sadly perplexed at this offer; but, having
announced herself as Prince Camaralzaman, she determined to continue
to act the part of the prince, and, fearful to offend King Armanos,
assented to his proposal. She enjoined yet closer secrecy upon her
women, and assured the officers of the prince that the Princess Badoura
had given her consent to her husband’s union with the daughter of
Armanos.

The King of the Island of Ebony, overjoyed at having acquired a
son-in-law with whom he was so much delighted, assembled his council
on the morrow, and declared that he bestowed the princess his daughter
in marriage on Prince Camaralzaman; that he resigned his crown to
him, and enjoined them to accept him as their king, and to pay him
homage. When he had concluded he descended from the throne, and
made the Princess Badoura, disguised as the prince, to ascend and take
his place, where she received the oaths of fidelity and allegiance from
all who were present.

The new king was solemnly proclaimed throughout the city; rejoic-
ings for several days were ordered, and couriers despatched to all parts
of the kingdom, that the same ceremonies and the same demonstrations
of joy might be observed.

In the evening the whole palace was in festivity, and the Princess
Haiatalnefous, for this was the name of the daughter of the King of the
Island of Ebony, was conducted to the Princess Badoura, whom every
one supposed to be a man, with a magnificence truly royal. The cere-
monies being completed, they retired to rest.

And now the hour was come when Badoura could no longer conceal
her true history from the Princess Haiatalnefous. She told her all the