After these words, Aladdin’s mother prostrated herself a second time; and when she arose, said, “Monarch of monarchs, I beg of you to pardon the boldness of my petition, and to assure me of your pardon and forgiveness.”  “Well,” replied the sultan, “I will forgive you, be it what it may, and no hurt shall come to you; speak boldly.”

When Aladdin’s mother had taken all these precautions, for fear of the sultan’s anger, she told him faithfully the errand on which her son had sent her, and the event which led to his making so bold a request in spite of all her remonstrances.

The sultan hearkened to this discourse without showing the least anger; but before he gave her any answer, asked her what she had brought tied up in the napkin.  She took the china dish which she had set down at the foot of the throne, untied it, and presented it to the sultan.

The sultan’s amazement and surprise were inexpressible, when he saw so many large, beautiful and valuable jewels collected in the dish.  He remained for some time lost in admiration.  At last, when he had recovered himself, he received the present from Aladdin’s mother’s hand; saying, “How rich, how beautiful!” After he had admired and handled all the jewels one after another, he turned to his grand vizier, and showing him the dish, said, “Behold, admire, wonder! and confess that your eyes never beheld jewels so rich and beautiful before.”  The vizier was charmed.  “Well,” continued the sultan, “what sayest thou to such a present?  Is it not worthy of the princess my daughter?  And ought I not to bestow her on one who values her at so great a price?” “I cannot but own,” replied the grand vizier, “that the present is worthy of the princess; but I beg of your majesty to grant me three months before you come to a final resolution.  I hope, before that time, my son, whom you have regarded with your favour, will be able to make a nobler present than this Aladdin, who is an entire stranger to your majesty.”

The sultan granted his request, and he said to the old woman, “Good woman, go home, and tell your son that I agree to the proposal you have made me; but I cannot marry the princess my daughter for three months; at the expiration of that time come again.”

Aladdin’s mother returned home much more gratified than she had expected, and told her son with much joy the condescending answer she had received from the sultan’s own mouth; and that she was to come to the divan again that day three months.

Aladdin thought himself the most happy of all men at hearing this news, and thanked his mother for the pains she had taken in the affair, the good success of which was of so great importance to his peace, that he counted every day, week, and even hour as it passed.  When two of the three months were passed, his mother one evening, having no oil in the house, went out to buy some, and found a general rejoicing—­the houses dressed with foliage, silks, and carpeting,