The nuptials were all celebrated that day, as the emperor had resolved, but in a different manner.  The youngest sister’s were solemnized with all the rejoicings usual at the marriages of the emperors of Persia; and those of the other two sisters according to the quality and distinction of their husbands; the one as the sultan’s chief baker, and the other as head cook.

The two elder felt strongly the disproportion of their marriages to that of their younger sister.  This consideration made them far from being content, though they were arrived at the utmost height of their late wishes, and much beyond their hopes.  They gave themselves up to an excess of jealousy, which not only disturbed their joy, but was the cause of great troubles and afflictions to the queen consort their younger sister.  They had not an opportunity to communicate their thoughts to each other on the preference the emperor had given her, but were altogether employed in preparing themselves for the celebration of their marriages.  Some days afterwards, when they had an opportunity of seeing each other at the public baths, the eldest said to the other, “Well, what say you to our sister’s great fortune?  Is not she a fine person to be a queen!” “I must own,” said the other sister, “I cannot conceive what charms the emperor could discover to be so bewitched by the young gipsy.  Was it a reason sufficient for him not to cast his eyes on you, because she was somewhat younger?  You were as worthy of his bed; and in justice he ought to have preferred you.”

“Sister,” said the elder, “I should not have regretted if his majesty had but pitched upon you; but that he should choose that hussy really grieves me.  But I will revenge myself; and you, I think, are as much concerned as me; therefore I propose that we should contrive measures, and act in concert in a common cause:  communicate to me what you think the likeliest way to mortify her, while I, on my side, will inform you what my desire of revenge shall suggest to me.”

After this wicked agreement, the two sisters saw each other frequently, and consulted how they might disturb and interrupt the happiness of the queen.  They proposed a great many ways, but in deliberating about the manner of executing them, found so many difficulties, that they durst not attempt them.  In the mean time, they often went together to make her visits with a detestable dissimulation, and every time shewed her all the marks of affection they could devise, to persuade her how overjoyed they were to have a sister raised to so high a fortune.  The queen, on her part, constantly received them with all the demonstrations of esteem they could expect:  from a sister who was not puffed up with her high dignity, and loved them as cordially as before.

Some months after her marriage, the queen found herself to be with child.  The emperor expressed great joy, which was communicated to all the court, and spread throughout the empire of Persia.  Upon this news the two sisters came to pay their compliments, and proffered their service to deliver her, desiring her, if not provided with a midwife, to accept of them.