the Shah, the Shadow of Allah upon Earth, will condescend here to eat the noon-meal.  So do thou take heed that the meats be of choiest flavour and fittest to set before the Asylum of the World, but of all the dishes there is one thou alone must make and let not another have a hand therein.  This shall be of the freshest green cucumbers with a stuffing of unions and pearls.”—­And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

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

Then said she:—­I have heard, O auspicious King, that the head Cook listened to this order of the Princess with wonderment and said in himself, “Who ever heard of such a dish or dreamed of ordering such a one.”  The Lady seeing his astonishment betrayed in his semblance without the science of thought-reading,[FN#374] said to him, “It seemeth from thy countenance that thou deemest me daft of wit to give thee such order.  I know that no one ever tasted a dish of the kind, but what is that to thee?  Do thou e’en as thou art bidden.  Thou seest this box brimful on pearls; so take of them as many as thou needest for the dish, and what remaineth over leave in the box.”  The Kitchener who could answer nothing in his confusion and amazement, chose as many precious stones as he required, and presently fared away to superintend the meats being cooked and made ready for the feast.  Meanwhile the Princess when over the house and grounds and gave directions to the slaves about the ordinance thereof, leading especial attention to the carpets and divans, the lamps and all other furniture.  Next day at break of dawn Princes Bahman and Parwez rode forth in rich attire to the appointed place where they first met the Shah, who was also punctual to his promise and vouchsafed to join them in the hunt.  Now when the sun had risen high and its rays waxed hot, the King gave up the chase, and set forth with the Princes to their house; and as they drew nigh thereto the cadet pushed forwards and sent word to the Princess that the Asylum of the World was coming in all good omen.  Accordingly, he hastened to receive him and stood waiting his arrival at the inner entrance; and after, when the King rode up to the gate and dismounting within the court stepped over the threshold of the house-door, she fell down at his feet and did worship.  Hereat her brothers said, “O Asylum of the World, this is our sister of whom we spake;” and the Shah with gracious kindness and condescension raised her by the hand, and when he saw her face he marvelled much at its wondrous comeliness and loveliness.  He thought in himself, “How like she is to her brothers in favour and form, and I trow there be none of all my lieges in city or country who can compare with them for beauty and noble bearing.  This country-house also exceedeth all that I have ever seen in splendour and grandeur.”  The Princess then led the Shah through the house and showed him all the magnificence thereof, while he rejoiced with extreme joy at everything