Camaralzaman, thus deprived of liberty, was nevertheless pleased
that he had the freedom to converse with his books, and that made
him look on his imprisonment with indifference. In the evening he
bathed and said his prayers; and after having read some chapters in
the Koran, with the same tranquility of mind as if he had been in
the sultan's palace, he undressed himself and went to bed, leaving
his lamp burning by him all the while he slept.
In this tower was a well, which served in the daytime for a retreat
to a certain fairy, named Maimoune, daughter of Damriat, king or
head of a legion of genies. It was about midnight when Maimoune
sprang lightly to the mouth of the well, to wander about the world
after her wonted custom, where her curiosity led her. She was
surprised to see a light in Prince Camaralzaman's chamber, and
entered, without stopping, over the slave who lay at the door.
Prince Camaralzaman had but half-covered his face with the
bedclothes, and Maimoune perceived the finest young man she had
seen in all her rambles through the world. 'What crime can he have
committed,' said she to herself, 'that a man of his high rank can
deserve to be treated thus severely?' for she had already heard his
story, and could hardly believe it.
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