842 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

matter, though, in fact, he knew no more about it than the
sultan himself, replied: “Your majesty, sire, is not ignorant,
that women often make complaints upon the most trivial subjects;
she appears to have come to your majesty with some complaint,
that they have sold her some bad meat, or something else of
equal insignificance.” This answer, however, did not satisfy the
sultan. “The very next day the council sits,” said he to the
grand vizier, “if this woman returns, do not fail to call her, that
I may hear what she has to say.” The grand vizier only
answered by kissing his hand, and placing it on his head, to
shew that he would rather lose it than fail in his duty.

The next day the council met, Aladdin’s mother placed her-
self near the entrance of the divan opposite the sultan, as had
been her usual practice.

The grand vizier had not made his report of any business,
before the sultan perceived Aladdin’s mother.

By his order an officer went directly to her, and having made
a sign to her, she followed him to the foot of the throne, where
he left her, and went back to his place near the grand vizier.
She prostrated herself, with her face towards the carpet which
covered the steps of the throne, and remained in that situation
till the sultan commanded her to rise. She did so; and the
sultan then said, “ What is the business that brings you here ?”
On hearing this, she prostrated herself a second time, and on
rising, answered thus: “High monarch, it is of so uncommon a
nature that I tremble, and feel almost overcome with shame, to
propose it to my sultan.” In order, however, that she might have
full liberty to explain herself, the sultan commanded every one to
leave the divan, and remained with only his grand vizier in at-
tendance ; he then told her that she might speak, and discover
everything without any fear.

When Aladdin’s mother had taken every precaution, like a
woman who dreaded the anger of the sultan at the very delicate
proposal she was about to make him, she faithfully related to
him how her son had fallen in love with the princess.

The sultan listened to this speech with the greatest patience
and good humour, and shewed not the least mark of either
anger or indignation at the request; nor did he even turn it
into ridicule. Before he returned any answer, he asked her
what she had got thus tied up in a cloth. Upon this she