Page:Alaeddin and the Enchanted Lamp.djvu/196

152 despite, and they fell to asking, “What hath happened and why is the marriage avoided and the rejoicings broken off?” But none knew what was to do save Alaeddin, the suitor, who laughed in his sleeve. So the marriage was annulled; but the Sultan had forgotten his promise to Alaeddin’s mother and never again bethought him thereof, neither he nor the Vizier; nor knew they whence came that which had happened.

Alaeddin waited till the three months had elapsed, after which the Sultan had promised that he would marry him to his daughter, the Lady Bedrulbudour, then despatched his mother to the Sultan to require him of the performance of his promise. So she repaired to the palace and when the Sultan came to the Divan and saw her standing before him, he remembered his promise to her, that after three months he would marry his daughter to her son, and turning to the Vizier, said to him, “O Vizier, yonder is the woman who presented us with the jewels and we gave her our word that after three months [we would marry our daughter to her son]. Bring her before me forthright.” So the Vizier went and brought Alaeddin’s mother before the Sultan; and when she came into the presence, she made her obeisance to him and prayed God to vouchsafe