gone from his promise to thee in the matter of his daughter, the
Lady Bedrulbudour, for that this very night the Vizier's son
goeth in to her; and indeed methought at the time, [FN#385] O my
son, the Vizier would change the Sultan's mind, even as I told
thee that he bespoke him privily before me." "How knewest thou
this," asked Alaeddin, "that the Vizier's son goeth in this night
to the Lady Bedrulbudour?" So she told him all she had seen of
the decorations in the city, whenas she went to buy the oil, and
how the eunuchs and chiefs of the state were drawn up awaiting
the Vizier's son, against he should come forth of the bath, for
that this was the night of his going in. When Alaeddin heard
this, he fell into a fever of chagrin; [FN#386] but presently he
bethought him of the lamp and rejoiced and said to his mother,
"By thy life, O my mother, methinketh the Vizier's son shall not
rejoice in her, as thou deemest. But now leave us be with this
talk and go lay us the evening-meal, so we may sup; then, when I
shall have passed a while in my chamber, all shall yet be well."

Accordingly, [FN#387] after he had supped, he went into his
chamber and locking the door on himself, fetched the lamp and
rubbed it; whereupon the genie at once appeared to him and said,
"Seek what thou wilt, for I am thy slave and the slave of whoso
hath in his hand the lamp, I and all the slaves of the lamp." And
Alaeddin said to him, "Harkye, I sought of the Sultan to marry
his daughter, and he appointed me for [FN#388] three months' time;
however, he abode not by his promise, but gave her to the
Vizier's son, and the latter purposeth to go in [to her] this
night. Wherefore I do presently command thee, as thou art a loyal
servant of the lamp, that this night, whenas thou seest the bride
and bridegroom abed together, thou take them up in their bed [and