AHMED AND PARI-BANOU. 473

The sultan was very far from being of opinion that Prince
Ahmed was capable of forming so dreadful a design as that
which the favourites attempted to accuse him of. “You mean
to amuse me,” he replied; “my son loves me, and I am the
more convinced of his affection and fidelity, because I have not
given him the least cause to be dissatisfied with me.”

“Your majesty may perhaps say,” said one of these malicious
favourites, “that Prince Ahmed has not shewn the least mark
of discontent, that our fears are vain, and that we are wrong in
suggesting any suspicion of this nature, and which may not have
the least foundation against a prince of his rank. But, sire, it
is possible that these suspicions may be well founded. If your
majesty had paid the same attention to everything as we have
done, you might have observed, that every time the prince comes
to visit you, both he and his attendants are quite fresh in ap-
pearance ; their dress and the ornaments, both. of their persons
and horses, have the same lustre as if they had that instant only
come out of the hands of the workmen. Even their horses are
not the least fatigued, and appear as if they only came from
their exercise. These are evident marks that Prince Ahmed re-
sides in the neighbourhood, and we thought that we should be
wanting in our duty if we did not humbly represent them to
your majesty, as well for your own preservation as for the good
of the state. It belongs to you to take such steps as you may
judge most proper.”

When the favourite had concluded this long speech, the sultan
put an end to the conversation by saying, “ However all this
may be, I do not believe that my son Ahmed can be so wicked
as you wish to persuade me; I am nevertheless obliged to you
for your advice, and do not doubt that you have said everything
with the best intentions.”

The sultan spoke in this manner to his favourites, that they
might not perceive that their discourse had made any impres-
sion upon his mind. He could not help, however, being much
alarmed, and he resolved to observe the conduct of Prince
Ahmed, without even informing his grand vizier. He ordered
the enchantress to be sent for privately, and had her introduced
through a secret door of the palace, and conducted to his
apartment. “You told me the truth,” said the sultan to her,
on her entrance, “when you assured me that my son Ahmed