The sultan now requested him to sit in the most honourable place, and entered into conversation on various subjects.  He put to him several difficult questions in science, to which the youth replied with such judgment, that his abilities astonished him, and he said to himself, “This young man is truly worthy of my daughter.”  He then addressed him, saying, “Young man, my wish is to unite thee to my daughter, for thou hast already seen her, also her mother, and after what has passed no one will marry her.”  The youth replied, “I am ready in obedience, but must advise with my friends.”  “Go then,” said the sultan, “consult with thy friends, and return quickly.”

The young man repaired to the sage, and having informed him of what had passed between himself and the sultan, signified his wish to marry the princess, when the shekh replied, “Do so, my son; there can be in the measure no crime, as it is a lawful alliance.”  “But I wish,” said the youth, “to invite the sultan to visit you.”  “By all means,” answered the sage.  “My lord,” rejoined the pupil, “since I first came, and you honoured me in your service, I have beheld you in no other residence but this confined cell, from which you have never stirred night or day.  How can I invite the sultan here?” “My son,” exclaimed the shekh, “go to the sultan, rely upon Allah, who can work miracles in favour of whom he chooseth, and say unto him, ‘My patron greets thee, and requests thy company to an entertainment five days hence.’  “The youth did as he was directed, and having returned to his master, waited upon him as before, but anxiously wishing for the fifth day to arrive.

On the fifth day, the sage said to his impatient pupil, “Let us remove to our own house, that we may prepare for the reception of the sultan, whom you must conduct to me.”  They arose, and walked, till on coming to a ruinous building about the middle of the city, the walls of which were fallen in heaps, the shekh said, “My son, this is my mansion, hasten and bring the sultan.”  The pupil, in astonishment, exclaimed, “My lord, this abode is a heap of ruins, how can I invite the sultan here, it would only disgrace us?” “Go,” repeated the sage, “and dread not the consequences.”  Upon this the youth departed, but as he went on could not help saying to himself, “Surely my master must be insane, or means to make a jest of us.”  When he had reached the palace he found the sultan expecting him; upon which he made his obeisance, and said, “Will my lord honour me by his company?”

The sultan arose, mounted his horse, and attended by his whole court, followed the youth to the place chosen by the venerable shekh.  It now appeared a royal mansion, at the gates of which were ranged numerous attendants in costly habits, respectfully waiting.  The young man, at sight of this transformed appearance, was confounded in such a manner that he could hardly retain his senses.  He said to himself, “It was but this instant that I beheld this place a heap of ruins, yet now it is a palace far more magnificent than any belonging to this sultan.  I am astonished, but must keep the secret to myself.”