time to ask him the reason, said: ‘Princess, I desire you would have compassion on this good woman,’ pointing to the magician, who was held up by two of his retmue. ‘I found her in the condition you see her in, and promised her the assistance she stands in need of, and am persuaded that you, out of your own goodness, as well as upon my entreaty, will not abandon her.’
The Fairy Paribanou, who had her eyes fixed upon the pretended sick woman all the time that the Prince was talking to her, ordered two of her women who followed her to take her from the two men that held her, and carry her into an apartment of the palace, and take as much care of her as herself.
Whilst the two women executed the Fairy’s commands, she went up to Prince Ahmed, and, whispering him in the ear, said: ‘Prince, this woman is not so sick as she pretends to be; and I am very much mistaken if she is not an impostor, who will be the cause of a great trouble to you. But don’t be concerned, let what will be devised against you; be persuaded that I will deliver you out of all the snares that shall be laid for you. Go and pursue your journey.’
This discourse of the Fairy’s did not in the least frighten Prince
