'
This proposal of Caschcasch's pleased equally both Maimoune and
Danhasch. Maimoune then changed herself into a gnat, and leaping on
the prince's neck stung him so smartly that he awoke, and put up
his hand to the place; but Maimoune skipped away, and resumed her
own form, which, like those of the two genies, was invisible, the
better to observe what he would do.
In drawing back his hand, the prince chanced to let it fall on that
of the Princess of China, and on opening his eyes, was exceedingly
surprised to perceive a lady of the greatest beauty. He raised his
head and leaned on his elbow, the better to consider her. She was
so beautiful that he could not help crying out, 'What beauty! my
heart! my soul!' In saying which he kissed her with so little
caution that she would certainly have been awaked by it, had she
not slept sounder than ordinary, through the enchantment of
Danhasch.
He was going to awaken her at that instant, but suddenly refrained
himself. 'Is not this she,' said he, 'that the sultan my father
would have had me marry? He was in the wrong not to let me see her
sooner. I should not have offended him by my disobedience and
passionate language to him in public, and he would have spared
himself the confusion which I have occasioned him.
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