The Sultan, that he might learn what her suit was and for that he
was of his nature exceeding clement, gave her his assurance and
bidding all who were with him go out forthright, abode alone
[with her], he and the Grand Vizier. Then he turned to her and
said, "Tell me thy suit, and the assurance [FN#363] of God the
Most High be upon thee." Quoth she, "O King of the Age, I wish
thy pardon also." And he said to her, "God pardon thee!" [FN#364]
Then said she to him, "O our lord the Sultan, I have a son, whose
name is Alaeddin, and one day of the days he heard the crier
proclaim that none should open his shop nor show himself in the
thoroughfares of the city, [FN#365] for that the Lady
Bedrulbudour, the daughter of our lord the Sultan, was going to
the bath. When my son heard this, he wished. to see her; so he
hid himself in a place, whence he might see her well, and this
was behind the door of the bath. Accordingly, when she came up,
he saw her and viewed her well, beyond his wish; and from that
time till now, O King of the Age, life hath not been pleasant to
him [FN#366] and he will e'en have me seek her of Thy
Grace, [FN#367] so thou mayst marry her with him, and I cannot do
away this conceit from his wit, for that the love of her hath
gotten possession of his vitals, so that he saith to me, 'Know, O
mother mine, that, except I attain my desire, assuredly I am a
dead man.' Wherefore I crave Thy Grace's clemency and hope that
thou wilt pardon me and my son this effrontery neither be wroth
with us therefor."

When the King heard her story, he fell a-laughing, of his
clemency, [FN#368] and asked her, "What is that thou hast with
thee and what is that bundle?" [FN#369] Whereupon she, seeing that