'
'I sent for you,' said the sultan, 'to inform you that I have an
intention of providing a proper marriage for you; what do you think
of it?'
Prince Camaralzaman heard this with great uneasiness: it so
surprised him, that he paused and knew not what answer to make.
After a few moments' silence, he replied, 'Sir, I beseech you to
pardon me if I seem surprised at the declaration you have made to
me. I did not expect such proposals to one so young as I am. It
requires time to determine on what your majesty requires of me.'
Prince Camaralzaman's answer extremely afflicted his father. He was
not a little grieved to see what an aversion he had to marriage,
yet would not charge him with disobedience, nor exert his paternal
authority. He contented himself with telling him he would not force
his inclinations, but give him time to consider the proposal.
The sultan said no more to the prince: he admitted him into his
council, and gave him every reason to be satisfied. At the end of
the year he took him aside, and said to him, 'My son, have you
thoroughly considered what I proposed to you last year about
marrying? Will you still refuse me that pleasure I expect from your
obedience, and suffer me to die without it?'
The prince seemed less disconcerted than before, and was not long
answering his father to this effect: 'Sir, I have not neglected to
consider your proposal, but after the maturest reflection find
myself more confirmed in my resolution to continue as I am, so that
I hope your majesty will pardon me if I presume to tell you it will
be in vain to speak to me any further about marriage.
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