sue counsel from my slave the Speaking-Bird and see what he may say; for when I have ever any hard and weighty question to decide I fail not to ask his advice.”  Hereupon the Princess set the cage by her side and after telling her slave all that her brothers have made known to her, asked admonition of him regarding what they should do.  The Speaking-Bird made answer, “It behoveth the Princes to gratify the Shah in all things he requireth of them; moreover, let them make ready a feast for the King and humbly pray them to visit this house, and thereby testify to him loyalty and devotion to his royal person.”  Then said the Princess, “O Bird, my brothers are most dear to me nor would I suffer them leave my sight for one moment if it were possible; and Allah forfend that this daring on their part do injury to our love and affection.”  Said the Speaking-Bird, “I have counselled thee for the best and have offered thee the right rede; nor do thou fear aught in following it, for naught save good shall come therefrom.”  “But,” quoth the Princess, “an the Shadow of Allah honour us by crossing the threshold of this house needs must I present myself before him with face unveiled?"[FN#371] “By all means,” quoth the Speaking-Bird, “this will not harm thee, nay rather ’twill be to thine advantage.”—­And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

       The end of the Six Hundred and Eighty-third Night.

Then said she:—­I have heard, O auspicious King, that early next day the two Princes Bahman and Parwez rode as aforetime to the hunting-ground and met Khusrau Shah, who asked them, saying, “What answer bring ye from your sister?” Hereupon the elder brother advancing said, “O shadow of Allah, verily we are thy slaves and whatever thou deign bid that we are ready to obey.  These less than the least have referred the matter to their sister and have obtained their consent; nay more, she blamed and chided them for that they did not hurry to carry out the commands of the Refuge of the World the moment they were delivered.  Therefore being sore displeased at us, she desireth us on her behalf to plead forgiveness with the Shahinshah[FN#372] for this offence by us offered.”  Replied the King, “No crime have ye committed to call forth the royal displeasure:  nay more, it delighteth the Shadow of Allah exceedingly to see the love ye twain bear towards your sister.”  Hearing such words of condescension and kindliness from the Shah, the Princes held their peace and hung their heads for shame groundwards; and the King who that day was not keen, according to his custom, after the chase, whenever he saw the brothers hold aloof, called them to his presence and heartened their hearts with words of favour; and presently, when a-weary of sport, he turned the head of his steed palace-ward and deigned order the Princes to ride by his side.  The Wazirs and Councillors and Courtiers one and all fumed with envy and jealousy to see two unknowns entreated