Page:Fairy tales from the Arabian nights.djvu/504

 'Princess,' said the counterfeit Fatima, 'I beg of you not to ask what I cannot consent to, without neglecting my prayers and devotions.'

'That shall be no hindrance to you,' answered the princess, 'I have a great many apartments unoccupied; you shall choose which you like best, and shall have as much liberty to perform your devotions as if you were in your own cell.'

The magician, who wanted nothing better than to introduce himself into Aladdin's palace, where it would be a much easier matter for him to execute his pernicious design, under the favour and protection of the princess, than if he had been forced to come and go from the cell to the palace, did not urge much to excuse himself from accepting the obliging offer the princess made him. 'Princess,' said he, 'whatever resolutions a poor wretched woman, such as I am, may have made to renounce the pomp and grandeur of this world, I dare not presume to oppose the will and command of so pious and charitable a princess.'

Upon this the princess rose up and said, 'Come along with me, I will show you what empty apartments I have, that you may make choice of those which you like best.' The magician followed the Princess Badroulboudour, and made choice of that which was the most poorly furnished, saying, 'It is too good for me; I only accept it to please you.'

Then the princess wished to take him back again into the great hall to dine with her; but considering that then he would be obliged to show his face, which he had all the time taken care to hide, and fearing that the princess might find out that he was not Fatima, he begged her earnestly to dispense with him, telling her that he never ate anything but bread and dried fruits, and that he desired to eat a slight repast in his own room. This the princess granted him, saying, 'You may be as free here, good mother, as if you were in your own cell. I will order you a dinner, but, remember, I shall expect you as soon as you have finished.'

After the princess had dined, the false Fatima failed not to wait upon her. 'My good mother,' said the princess, 'I am overjoyed to have the company of so holy a woman as yourself, who will confer a blessing upon this palace. But now that I am speaking