When the Vizier heard the Sultan’s words, his tongue was tied for despite and he was overcome with exceeding chagrin, forasmuch as the King had promised him that he would marry his daughter to his son; so, after a little, he said to him, “O King of the age, Thy Grace condescended to promise me [FN#371] that the Lady Bedrulbudour should be my son’s; wherefore it behoveth thine exalted highness appoint a delay of three months, [FN#372] and God willing, my son’s present shall be greater than this.”  The King, for all he knew that this was a thing whereto the Vizier might not avail, no, nor the greatest King, [FN#373] nevertheless exercised his clemency [FN#374] and granted him the delay he sought; then, turning to the old woman, he said to her, “Go to thy son and tell him I give him [my] word that my daughter shall be in his name; [FN#375] but needs must I take order for her equipment; [FN#376] wherefore it behoveth him grant us a delay of three months.”

Alaeddin’s mother took the answer and thanked the Sultan and prayed for him, then went forth and fared homeward in haste, flying of her joy, till she came to the house and entered.  Her son saw her laughing-faced and foreboded good news; more by token that she returned forthright and tarried not, as on each day past, neither brought back the dish.  Accordingly he asked her and said to her, “God willing, O my mother, thou bringest me good news; the jewels and their value have wrought their work and thou wilt have found acceptance with the Sultan; yea, he will have shown thee favour and given ear unto thy suit.”  So she told him all that had passed and how the Sultan had received her and had marvelled, both he and his Vizier, at the size and beauty of the jewels, and how he had promised her that [quoth she] “his daughter shall be in thy name.  But, O my son, ere he promised me, the Vizier whispered [FN#377] him somewhat, whereupon he appointed me for three months hence; and I am fearful lest the Vizier be a man of evil disposition, [FN#378] who will change the King’s mind.”

When [FN#379] Alaeddin heard his mother’s words and how the Sultan had appointed her for [FN#380] three months [thence], his heart was lightened and he rejoiced with an exceeding joy and said, “Since the Sultan hath promised for [FN#381] three months [hence], true, it [FN#382] is long, but in any case my joy is great.”  Then he thanked her for her kindness and the pains she had taken [FN#383] and said to her, “By Allah, O my mother, it is as I were in a tomb and now thou hast raised me up therefrom; and I praise God the Most High, for I am presently certified that there is none richer or happier than I in the world.”  Then he waited till two of the three months were past, when his mother went out one day of the days, at sundown, to buy oil, and saw the markets closed and the city all decorated and the folk setting candles and flowers in their windows and saw troops, horse and foot, and mounted eunuchs drawn up in state, with cressets and lustres