Page:Peregrinaggio di tre giovani figliuoli del re di Serendippo.djvu/123

 She protested that the touch of the petal greatly hurt her and she pretended to faint immediately.

This sorrowed the Prince very much and he called his servants. He requested some vinegar, mixed it with rose water and sprinkled it under the nose of the young woman and wetted her temples. She showed that her spirits had returned to her. After she had rested for some time, she rose to her feet. The Prince took her by the hand and led her slowly to the window of the room. When he raised his eyes towards the statue, he saw it laughing and immediately realized the deceit and the pretense of the young woman when she fainted at the touch of the petal. Nevertheless, he concealed it and talked with her about the incident and while they were standing against the window, she placed her hands on her face to cover it. She did this while pretending to believe that it was the statue of a man and she wanted to demonstrate to the Prince that it was not permissible to be seen by him. But the Prince who had already noted the first deception, noticed the second one as well and when he turned to the statue, he saw that it was laughing.

So, he ascertained that the wicked young woman was deceitful, but in order that she didn't know that he was aware of this, he wanted to make love with her that night. And the following morning, he got up early, caressed her and sent her to her quarters that were above the stable. Then, according to Muslim custom, he entered the bathroom and washed himself and gave orders that another of the young women be brought into his presence.