Page:Alaeddin and the Enchanted Lamp.djvu/183

139 Marid appeared with the bridal pair in their bed; whereat Alaeddin rejoiced with exceeding great joy and said to the slave, “Bear this gallowsbird hence and couch him in the house of easance.” The genie accordingly took up the bridegroom and couched him in the draught-house; moreover, ere he left him, he blew on him a blast wherewith he dried him up, and the Vizier’s son abode in woeful case. Then he returned to Alaeddin and said to him, “An thou need otherwhat, tell me.” And Alaeddin said to him, “Return in the morning, so thou mayst take them [back] to their place.” “Hearkening and obedience,” answered the genie and was gone; whereupon Alaeddin arose,—and indeed he had scarce believed that the thing should succeed with him,—and when he saw the Lady Bedrulbudour in his house, he entreated her with respect, albeit he had long burned for love of her, and said to her, “O princess of the fair, think not that I have brought thee hither to soil thine honour. God forbid! Nay, it was that I might not let others enjoy thee, for that thy father the Sultan gave me his word upon thee; so be thou in peace and assurance.” As for the princess, when she found herself in that mean dark house and heard Alaeddin’s words, fear and trembling gat hold upon her