our wares. If he considers them worthy to adorn his followers we
shall be content.'

This speech was repeated to the princess, who ordered the brothers
to be brought to the red-room at once. They bowed respectfully to
her and displayed some splendid velvets and brocades, and opened
cases of pearls and precious stones. Such beautiful things had
never been seen in the island, and the nurse and waiting women
stood bewildered by all the magnificence. They whispered together
that they had never beheld anything like it. The princess too saw
and wondered, and her eyes could not weary of looking at the
lovely things, or her fingers of stroking the rich soft stuffs, and of
holding up the sparkling jewels to the light.

'Fairest of princesses,' said Simon. 'Be pleased to order your
waiting-maids to accept the silks and velvets, and let your women
trim their head-dresses with the jewels; these are no special
treasures. But permit me to say that they are as nothing to the
many coloured tapestries, the gorgeous stones and ropes of pearls
in our ship. We did not like to bring more with us, not knowing
what your royal taste might be; but if it seems good to you to
honour our ship with a visit, you might condescend to choose such
things as were pleasing in your eyes.'

This polite speech pleased the princess very much. She went to the
king and said: 'Dear father, some merchants have arrived with the
most splendid wares. Pray allow me to go to their ship and choose
out what I like.'

The king thought and thought, frowned hard and rubbed his ear.