and when they were all met (Noor ad Deen having made known his quality), he said to the noblemen present, for he thought it proper to speak thus on purpose to satisfy those to whom he had refused his alliance, “I am now, my lords, to discover a circumstance which hitherto I have keep a secret.  I have a brother, who is grand vizier to the sultan of Egypt.  This brother has but one son, whom he would not marry in the court of Egypt, but sent him hither to wed my daughter in order that both branches of our family may be united.  His son, whom I knew to be my nephew as soon as I saw him, is the young man I now present to you as my son-in-law.  I hope you will do me the honour to be present at his wedding, which I am resolved to celebrate this day.”  The noblemen, who could not be offended at his preferring his nephew to the great matches that had been proposed, allowed that he had very good reason for his choice, were willing to be witnesses to the ceremony, and wished that God might prolong his days to enjoy the satisfaction of the happy match.

The lords met at the vizier of Bussorah’s palace, having testified their satisfaction at the marriage of his daughter with Noor ad Deen Ali, sat down to a magnificent repast, after which, notaries came in with the marriage contrast, and the chief lords signed it; and when the company had departed, the grand vizier ordered his servants to have every thing in readiness for Noor ad Deen Ali, to bathe.  He had fine new linen, and rich vestments provided for him in the greatest profusion.  Having bathed and dressed, he was perfumed with the most odoriferous essences, and went to compliment the vizier, his father-in-law, who was exceedingly pleased with his noble demeanour.  Having made him sit down, “My son,” said he, “you have declared to me who you are, and the office you held at the court of Egypt.  You have also told me of a difference betwixt you and your brother, which occasioned you to leave your country.  I desire you to make me your entire confidant, and to acquaint me with the cause of your quarrel; for now you have no reason either to doubt my affection, or to conceal any thing from me.”

Noor ad Deen informed him of every circumstance of the quarrel; at which the vizier, burst out into a fit of laughter, and said, “This is one of the strangest occurrences I ever heard.  Is it possible, my son, that your quarrel should rise so high about an imaginary marriage?  I am sorry you fell out with your elder brother upon such a frivolous matter; but he was also wrong in being angry at what you only spoke in jest, and I ought to thank heaven for that difference which has procured me such a son-in-law.  But,” continued the vizier, “it is late, and time for you to retire; go to your bride, my son, she expects you:  to-morrow, I will present you to the sultan, and hope he will receive you in such a manner as shall satisfy us both.”  Noor ad Deen Ali took leave of his father-in-law, and retired to his bridal apartment.