She appeared very lovely, but in her face there was nothing to be seen but vexation and grief.  The cause of this was easily to be guessed, when she had by her side a bridegroom so very deformed, and so unworthy of her love.  The nuptial seat was in the midst of an estrade.  The ladies of the emirs, viziers, those of the sultan’s bed-chamber, and several other ladies of the court and city, were placed on each side, a little lower, every one according to her rank, and richly dressed, holding a large wax taper in her hands.

When they saw Buddir ad Deen Houssun, all fixed their eyes upon him, and admiring his shape, his behaviour, and the beauty of his face, they could not forbear looking upon him.  When he was seated every one deft their seats, came near him to have a full view of his face, and all found themselves moved with love and admiration.

The disparity between Buddir ad Deen Houssun and the hump-backed groom, who made such a contemptible figure, occasioned great murmuring among the company; insomuch that the ladies cried out, “We must give our bride to this handsome young gentleman, and not to this ugly humpback.”  Nor did they rest here, but uttered imprecations against the sultan, who, abusing his absolute power, would unite ugliness and beauty together.  They also mocked the bridegroom, so as to put him out of countenance, to the great satisfaction of the spectators, whose shouts for some time put a stop to the concert of music in the hall.  At last the musicians began again, and the women who had dressed the bride surrounded her.

Each time that the bride retired to change her dress, she on her return passed by hump-back without giving him one look, and went towards Buddir ad Deen, before whom she presented herself in her new attire.  On this occasion, Buddir ad Deen, according to the instructions given him by the genie, failed not to put his hands in his purse, and pulled out handfuls of sequins, which he distributed among the women that followed the bride.  Nor did he forget the players and dancers, but also threw money to them.  It was pleasant to see how they pushed one another to gather it up.  They shewed themselves thankful for his liberality.

When the ceremony of changing habits was passed, the music ceased and the company retired.  The bride repaired to the nuptial chamber, whither her attendants followed to undress her, and none remained in the hall but the hump-back groom, Buddir ad Deen, and some of the domestics.

Hump-back, who was enraged at Buddir ad Deen, suspecting him to be his rival, gave him a cross look, and said, “And thou, what dost thou wait for?  Why art thou not gone as well as the rest?  Depart!” Buddir ad Deen having no pretence to stay, withdrew, not knowing what to do with himself.  But before he got out of the vestibule, the genie and the perie met and stopped him.  “Whither are you going?” said the perie; “stay, hump-back is not in the hall, return, and introduce yourself into the bride’s chamber.  As soon as you are alone with her, tell her boldly that you are her husband, that the sultan’s intention was only to make sport with the groom.  In the mean time we will take care that the hump-back shall not return, and let nothing hinder your passing the night with your bride, for she is yours and not his.”