of the lamp, that this night, whenas thou seest the bride and bridegroom abed together, thou take them up in their bed [and bring them] hither.  This is what I seek of thee.”  “Hearkening and obedience,” answered the genie, “and if thou have a service [to require of me] other than this, command me whatsoever thou seekest.”  And Alaeddin said to him, “I have no present requirement save that whereof I have bespoken thee.”  So the slave disappeared and Alaeddin returned to finish his supper [FN#389] with his mother.

When he deemed it time for the genie’s coming, he arose and entered his chamber; and after a little, the Marid appeared with the bridal pair in their bed; whereat Alaeddin rejoiced with exceeding great joy and said to the slave, “Bear this gallowsbird hence and couch him in the house of easance.” [FN#390] The genie accordingly took up the bridegroom and couched him in the draught-house; moreover, ere he left him, he blew on him a blast wherewith he dried him up, and the Vizier’s son abode in woeful case.  Then he returned to Alaeddin and said to him, “An thou need otherwhat, tell me.”  And Alaeddin said to him, “Return in the morning, so thou mayst take them [back] to their place.”  “Hearkening and obedience,” answered the genie and was gone; whereupon Alaeddin arose,—­and indeed he had scarce believed that the thing should succeed with him,—­and when he saw the Lady Bedrulbudour in his house, he entreated her with respect, albeit he had long burned for love of her, and said to her, “O princess of the fair, think not that I have brought thee hither to soil shine honour.  God forbid!  Nay, it was that I might not let others [FN#391] enjoy thee, for that thy father the Sultan gave me his word upon thee; so be thou in peace and assurance.”  As [FN#392] for the princess, when she found herself in that mean dark; house and heard Alaeddin’s words, fear and trembling get hold upon her and she was confounded and could return him no answer.  Then he arose and putting off his clothes, placed a sword between himself and her and lay down by her side in the bed, without treason; [FN#393] it sufficed him to prevent [the consummation of] her marriage with the Vizier’s son.  Nevertheless, the Lady Bedrulbudour passed the sorriest of nights, never in her life had she known a worse; whilst the Vizier’s son lay in the draught-house and dared not stir for fear of the genie.

When it was morning, the genie presented himself before Alaeddin, without his rubbing the lamp, and said to him, “O my lord, an thou wish aught, command me withal, so I may do it on my head and eyes.”  And Alaeddin bade him go carry the bride and bridegroom to their own place.  The genie did his bidding in the twinkling of an eye and laying the Vizier’s son with the Lady Bedrulbudour, took them up and set them down in their place in the palace, without their seeing any one; but they were like to die of fright, when they felt themselves carried from place to place.