Hardly had the genie set them down and gone out when the Sultan came to visit his daughter; and when the Vizier’s son heard the door open, he straightway sprang out of bed, knowing that none might enter but the Sultan, and donned his clothes, [FN#394] albeit this irked him sore, for that he would fain have warmed himself a little, having had no time [to do so] since he left the draught-house.  The [FN#395] Sultan came in to his daughter and kissing her between the eyes, gave her good-morrow and asked her of her bridegroom and if she was content with him; but she returned him no answer and looked at him with a dejected air. [FN#396] He bespoke her several times, but she was silent and answered him not a word; so he went out from her and going in to the Queen, told her what had passed between himself and the Lady Bedrulbudour.

The Queen, so she might not leave the Sultan angry with the Lady Bedrulbudour, said to him, `’O King of the Age, this is the wont of most brides, on their wedding-day, to be shamefast and show somewhat of coyness.  So be not vexed with her and after a day or two she will return to herself and proceed to speak with the folk; but now, O King of the Age, shame hindereth her from speaking.  However, I purpose to go to her and see her.”  Accordingly she arose and donning her clothes, repaired to her daughter’s apartment.  Then, going up to her, she gave her good-morrow and kissed her between the eyes; but the Lady Bedrulbudour returned her no manner of answer and the Queen said in herself, “Needs must some strange thing have befallen her, to trouble her thus.”  So she asked her, saying, “O my daughter, what is the cause of this thy behaviour?  Tell me what aileth thee, that I come to thee and give thee good-morrow and thou returnest me no answer.”

The Lady Bedrulbudour raised her head and said to her, “Blame me not, O my mother; indeed, it behoved me receive thee with all reverence and worship, since thou honourest me by coming to me; but I beseech thee hear the cause of this my case and see how this night I have passed hath been for me the sorriest of nights.  Hardly had we lain down, O my mother, when one, whose fashion I know not, took up the bed and transported us to a place dark, foul [FN#397] and mean.”  Then she told her mother the queen all that had betided her that night and how they had taken her bridegroom, leaving her alone, and how after a little there came another youth and lay down in the place of her bridegroom, putting a sword between himself and her; “and in the morning” [quoth she] “he who had brought us thither returned and taking us up, carried us back to our place here:  and hardly had he brought us hither and left us when my father the Sultan entered and I had neither heart nor tongue to answer him for stress of fright and trembling which possessed me.  And belike my father is vexed with me; wherefore I prithee, O my mother, tell him the cause of this my case, so he be not wroth with me for my failure to answer him neither blame me, but excuse me.”