Now the nurse, knowing that none could approach the princess but herself, without leave of the eunuch who commanded the guard at the gate, addressed herself to him, who, she believed, was ignorant of what had formerly passed at the court of China.  You know, said she, I have brought up and suckled the princess, and may likewise have heard that I had a daughter whom I brought up along with her.  Now this daughter has since been married; yet the princess still does her the honour to remember her, and would fain see her, but would do so without any body perceiving her coming in or out.

The nurse would have gone on, but the eunuch cried, Say no more, it is sufficient; I will do any thing to oblige the princess:  go and fetch your daughter, for send or her about midnight, and the gate shall be open to you.

As soon as night came, the nurse went for her son Marzavan; and, having dressed him so artfully in women’s clothes, that nobody could perceive he was a man, she took him along with her; and the eunuch, believing it was a woman, admitted them without hesitation.

The nurse, before she thought fit to present Marzavan, went to the princess, and said, Madam, this is not a woman I have brought to you; it is my son Marzavan, lately arrived from his travels; he has a great desire to kiss your hand, and I hope your highness will admit him to that honour.

What, my brother Marzavan! said the princess, with a great deal of joy.  Come hither, my dear, cried she, and take off this veil; for surely it is not unreasonable that a brother and a sister should see each other without reserve.

Marzavan saluted her with profound respect, when she, without giving him leave to speak, cried out, I am rejoiced to see you returned in good health, after so many years’ absence.

Madam, replied Marzavan, I am infinitely obliged to your highness for your goodness in rejoicing at my health; I no sooner landed in my native country than I inquired after yours, and heard what, to my great affliction, I am now witness of.  Nevertheless, I cannot but rejoice that I am come seasonably to administer that remedy to you which so many others have attempted without success; and though I should not reap any other fruit of my long voyage, I shall think myself fully recompensed, for my great toil and hazard, by that one happiness.

Speaking these words, Marzavan drew forth a book, and other things from his pocket, which he judged necessary to be used, according to the relation he had got from his mother of the princess’s distemper.  The princess, seeing him make all those preparations, cried out, What! brother, are you then one of those who believe me mad?  Undeceive yourself, and hearken to what I shall say to you.

The princess then began to relate to Marzavan all the particulars of her story, without omitting the least circumstance, even to the ring which was exchanged for hers, and which she showed him.  I have not concealed the least matter from you, said she; yet it is true there is something that I cannot comprehend, and has given occasion for some persons to think me mad; but as for the rest, I assure you it is literally as I have related.