and to work her some foul mischief.  On this wise they remained for many months consumed with rancour, day and night; and they burned with grief and anger whenever they sighted aught of her superior style and state.  One morning as the two met at the Hammam and found privacy and opportunity, quoth the eldest sister to the second, “A grievous thing it is indeed that she, our youngest sister, no lovelier than ourselves, should thus be raised to the dignity and majesty of Queendom and indeed the thought is overhard to bear.”  Quoth the other, “O sister mine, I also am perplexed and displeased at this thing, and I know not what of merit the Shah could have seen in her that he was tempted to choose her for his consort.  She ill befitteth that high estate with that face like a monkey’s favour; and, save her youth, I know nothing that could commend her to his Highness that he should so exalt her above her fellows.  To my mind thou and not she art fit to share the royal bed; and I nurse a grudge against the King for that he hath made this jade his Queen.”  And the eldest sister rejoined, “I likewise marvel beyond all measure; and I swear that thy youth and beauty, thy well-shaped figure and lovely favour and goodliness of gifts past challenge or compare, might well have sufficed to win the King and have tempted him to wed and bed with thee and make thee his crowned Queen and Sovran Lady in lieu of taking to his arms this paltry strumpet.  Indeed he hath shown no sense of what is right and just in leaving thee disappointed; and on this account only the matter troubleth me with exceeding trouble.”—­And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

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

Then said she:—­I have heard, O auspicious King, that the two sisters took counsel each with other how they might abase their youngest sister in the Shah’s sight and cause her downfall and utter ruin.  Day and night they conned over the matter in their minds and spoke at great length about it when they ever met together, and pondered endless plans to injure the Queen their sister, and if possible bring about her death; but they could fix upon none.  And, whilst they bore this despite and hatred towards her and diligently and deliberately sought the means of gratifying their bitter envy, hatred and malice, she on the other hand regarded them with the same favour and affection as she had done before marriage and thought only how to advantage their low estate.  Now when some months of her wedded life had passed, the fair Queen was found to be with child whereof the glad tidings filled the Shah with joy; and straightway he commanded all the people of the capital and throughout the while Empire keep holiday with feasts and dancing and every manner jollity as became so rare and important an occasion.  But as soon as the news came to the ears of the two Envious Sisters they were constrained perforce to offer their congratulations to the Queen;