to time I will not cease to wait upon thee and to enquire of thy welfare with all the affection of a son.”  Replied the King, “O my child, the sight of thee hath gladdened mine eyes; and I am now satisfied; and not unwillingly I give thee leave to go, since thou art happy in some place so near hand; but shouldst thou at any time delay thy coming hither, say me, how shall I be able to get tidings of thy good health and welfare?” And quoth Prince Ahmad, “O my lord the King, that which thou requirest of me is part of my secret and this must remain deep hidden in my breast:  as I said before, I may not discover it to thee nor say aught that might lead to its discovery.  However, be not uneasy in thy soul, for I will appear before thee full many a time and haply I may irk thee with continual coming.”  “O my son,” rejoined the Sultan, “I would not learn thy secret an thou would keep it from me, but there is one only thing I desire of thee, which is, that ever and anon I may be assured of thine enduring health and happiness.  Thou hast my full permission to hie thee home, but forget not at least once a month to come and see me even as now thou dost, lest such forgetfulness cause me anxiety and trouble, cark and care.”  So Prince Ahmad tarried with his father three days full-told, but never for a moment did the memory of the Lady Peri-Banu fade from his mind; and on the fourth day he mounted horse and returned with the same pomp and pageantry wherewith he came.—­And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

       The end of the Six Hundred and Fifty-sixth Night.

Then said she:—­I have heard, O auspicious King, that Peri-Banu joyed with exceeding joy at the sight of Prince Ahmad as he returned to his home; and it seemed to her as though they had been parted for three hundred years:  such is love that moments of separation are longsome and weary as twelvemonths.  The Prince offered much of excuses for his short absence and his words delighted Peri-Banu yet the more.  So these twain, lover and beloved, passed the time in perfect happiness, taking their pleasure one with other.  Thus a month went by and Prince Ahmad never once mentioned the name of his sire nor expressed a wish to go visit him according to his promise.  Noting this change, the Lady Peri-Banu said to him one day, “Thou toldest me aforetime that once in the beginning of each month thou wouldst fare forth and travel to thy father’s court and learn news of his welfare:  why then neglectest thou so to do, seeing that he will be distressed and anxiously expecting thee?” Replied Prince Ahmad, “’Tis even as thou sayest, but, awaiting thy command and thy permission, I have forborne to propose the journey to thee.”  And she made answer, “Let thy faring and thy returning rest not on my giving thee liberty of leave.  At the beginning of each month as it cometh round, do thou ride forth, and from this time forwards thou hast no need to ask permission of me.  Stay with thy sire three days full-told