no more.  Next day Prince Ahmad came to visit the King, who welcomed him with overflowing affection and clasping him to his bosom kissed him on eyes and forehead.  Long time they sat conversing on various subjects, till at length the Sultan finding an occasion spake thus, “O dear my son, O Ahmad, for many a day have I been sad at heart and sorrowful of soul because of separation from thee, and when thou camest back I was gladdened with great gladness at sight of thee, and albeit thou didst and dost still withhold from me the knowledge of thy whereabouts, I refrained from asking thee or seeking to find out thy secret, since it was not according to thy mind to tell me of thine abode.  Now, however, I have heard say that thou art wedded to a mighty Jinniyah[FN#341], of passing beauty; and the tidings please me with the highmost possible pleasure.  I desire not to learn aught from thee concerning thy Fairy-wife save whatso thou wouldst entrust to me of thine own free will; but, say me, should I at any time require somewhat of thee, canst thou obtain it from her?  Doth she regard thee with such favour that she will not deny thee anything thou askest of her?” Quoth the Prince, “O my lord, what dost thou demand of me?  My wife is devoted to her husband in heart and soul, so prithee let me learn what it is thou wouldst have of me and her.”  Replied the Sultan, Thou knowest that ofttimes I fare a-hunting or on some foray and fray, when I have great need of tents and pavilions and Shahmiyanahs, with herds and troops of camels and mules and other beasts of burden to carry the camp from place to place.  I would, therefore, that thou bring me a tent so light that a man may carry it in the hollow of his hand, and yet so large that it may contain my court and all my host and camp and suttlers and bat-animals.  An thou wouldst ask the Lady for this gift I know full well that she can give it; and hereby shalt thou save me much of trouble in providing carriage for the tentage and spare me much waste and loss of beasts and men.”  The Prince replied, “O my sire the Sultan, trouble not thy thought.  I will at once make known thy wish to my wife, the Lady Peri-Banu; and, albeit little I wot an fairies have the faculty of making a pavilion such as thou describest, or indeed (supposing that they have such power), an she will grant me or not grant me her aidance; and, moreover, although I cannot promise thee such present, yet whatsoever lieth in my ability to do, that will I gladly do for thy service.”—­And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

       The end of the Six Hundred and Sixty-first Night.