I have married
the fairy you speak of. I love her, and am persuaded she loves me.
But I can say nothing as to the influence your majesty believes I
have over her. It is what I have not yet made any experiment of or
thought of, and should be very glad if you would dispense with my
undertaking it, and let me enjoy the happiness of loving and being
beloved with all the disinterestedness I proposed to myself. But
the demand of a father is a command upon every child who, like me,
thinks it his duty to obey him in everything. And though it is with
the greatest reluctance imaginable, I will not fail to ask my wife
the favour your majesty desires, but will not promise to obtain it;
and if I should not have the honour to come again to pay you my
respects, that shall be the sign that I have not had success: but I
desire you to forgive me beforehand, and consider that you yourself
have reduced me to this extremity.'
'Son,' replied the Sultan of the Indies, 'I should be very sorry
that what I ask of you should prevent my ever seeing you again. Go,
only ask her. Think with yourself, that as you love her, you could
refuse her nothing; therefore, if she loves you, she will not deny
your request.
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