She commanded them to pack up their baggage and begin their march; and when all things were ready, she ordered one of her women to go into her litter, she herself mounting on horseback, and riding by her side.

She travelled several months by land and sea; the princess continuing the journey under the name of Kummir al Zummaun.  They touched at Ebene in their way to the isles of the children of Khaledan, and went to the capital of the island, where a king reigned, whose name was Armanos.  The persons who first landed, giving out that the ship carried prince Kummir al Zummaun, who was returning from a long voyage, and was forced in by a storm, the news of his arrival was soon carried to court.

King Armanos, accompanied by his courtiers’ went immediately to wait on the prince, and met the princess just as she was landing, and going to the palace that had been prepared for her.  He received her as the son of a king, who was his friend, and with whom he always kept up a good understanding:  he conducted her to the palace, where an apartment was prepared for her and all her attendants; though she would fain have excused herself.  He shewed her all possible honour, and entertained her three days together with extraordinary magnificence.  At the end of this time king Armanos understanding that the princess intended proceeding on her voyage, charmed with the air and qualities of such an accomplished prince, as he supposed her, took an opportunity when she was alone, and spoke to her in this manner:  “You see, prince, that I am old, and to my great mortification have not a son to whom I may leave my crown.  Heaven has only blest me with one daughter, whose beauty cannot be better matched than with a prince of your rank and accomplishments.  Instead of going home, stay and accept my crown, which I will resign in your favour.  It is time for me to rest, and nothing could be a greater pleasure to me in my retirement, than to see my people ruled by so worthy a successor to my throne.”

The king’s offer to bestow his only daughter in marriage, and with her his kingdom, on the princess Badoura, put her into unexpected perplexity.  She thought it would not become a princess of her rank to undeceive the king, and to own that she was not prince Kummir al Zummaun, whose part she had hitherto acted so well.  She was also afraid to decline the honour he offered her, lest, being so much bent upon the conclusion of the marriage, his kindness might turn to aversion, and he might attempt something even against her life.

These considerations, added to the prospect of obtaining a kingdom for the prince her husband, in case she found him again, determined her to accept the proposal of king Armanos, and marry his daughter.  After having stood silent for some minutes, she with blushes, which the king took for a sign of modesty, answered, “I am infinitely obliged to your majesty for your good opinion of me, for the honour you do me, and the great favour you offer, which I cannot pretend to merit, and dare not refuse.”