hold upon her and she was confounded and could return him no
answer. Then he arose and putting off his clothes, placed a sword
between himself and her and lay down by her side in the bed,
without treason; [FN#393] it sufficed him to prevent [the
consummation of] her marriage with the Vizier's son.
Nevertheless, the Lady Bedrulbudour passed the sorriest of
nights, never in her life had she known a worse; whilst the
Vizier's son lay in the draught-house and dared not stir for fear
of the genie.

When it was morning, the genie presented himself before Alaeddin,
without his rubbing the lamp, and said to him, "O my lord, an
thou wish aught, command me withal, so I may do it on my head and
eyes." And Alaeddin bade him go carry the bride and bridegroom to
their own place. The genie did his bidding in the twinkling of an
eye and laying the Vizier's son with the Lady Bedrulbudour, took
them up and set them down in their place in the palace, without
their seeing any one; but they were like to die of fright, when
they felt themselves carried from place to place. Hardly had the
genie set them down and gone out when the Sultan came to visit
his daughter; and when the Vizier's son heard the door open, he
straightway sprang out of bed, knowing that none might enter but
the Sultan, and donned his clothes, [FN#394] albeit this irked him
sore, for that he would fain have warmed himself a little, having
had no time [to do so] since he left the draught-house.
The [FN#395] Sultan came in to his daughter and kissing her
between the eyes, gave her good-morrow and asked her of her
bridegroom and if she was content with him; but she returned him
no answer and looked at him with a dejected air. [FN#396] He
bespoke her several times, but she was silent and answered him