morning, on the Princess's refusing to speak, the Sultan
threatened to cut off her head. She then confessed all, bidding
him ask the Vizier's son if it were not so. The Sultan told the
Vizier to ask his son, who owned the truth, adding that, dearly
as he loved the Princess, he had rather die than go through
another such fearful night, and wished to be separated from her.
His wish was granted, and there was an end of feasting and rejoicing.

When the three months were over, Aladdin sent his mother to
remind the Sultan of his promise. She stood in the same place as
before, and the Sultan, who had forgotten Aladdin, at once
remembered him, and sent for her. On seeing her poverty the
Sultan felt less inclined than ever to keep his word, and asked
his Vizier's advice, who counselled him to set so high a value on
the Princess that no man living would come up to it. The Sultan
than turned to Aladdin's mother, saying: "Good woman, a sultan
must remember his promises, and I will remember mine, but your
son must first send me forty basins of gold brimful of jewels,
carried by forty black slaves, led by as many white ones,
splendidly dressed. Tell him that I await his answer." The
mother of Aladdin bowed low and went home, thinking all was lost.
She gave Aladdin the message adding, "He may wait long enough for
your answer!" "Not so long, mother, as you think," her son replied.
"I would do a great deal more than that for the Princess."
He summoned the genie, and in a few moments the eighty slaves arrived,
and filled up the small house and garden. Aladdin made them to set
out to the palace, two by two, followed by his mother. They were so
richly dressed, with such splendid jewels, that everyone crowded
to see them and the basins of gold they carried on their heads.
They entered the palace, and, after kneeling before the Sultan,