Page:Alaeddin and the Enchanted Lamp.djvu/181

137 this very night the Vizier’s son goeth in to her; and indeed methought at the time, O my son, the Vizier would change the Sultan’s mind, even as I told thee that he bespoke him privily before me.” “How knewest thou this,” asked Alaeddin, “that the Vizier’s son goeth in this night to the Lady Bedrulbudour?” So she told him all she had seen of the decorations in the city, whenas she went to buy the oil, and how the eunuchs and chiefs of the state were drawn up awaiting the Vizier’s son, against he should come forth of the bath, for that this was the night of his going in. When Alaeddin heard this, he fell into a fever of chagrin; but presently he bethought him of the lamp and rejoiced and said to his mother, “By thy life, O my mother, methinketh the Vizier’s son shall not rejoice in her, as thou deemest. But now leave us be with this talk and go lay us the evening-meal, so we may sup; then, when I shall have passed a while in my chamber, all shall yet be well.”

Accordingly, after he had supped, he went into his chamber and locking the door on himself, fetched the lamp and rubbed it; whereupon the genie at once