'
'It may be,' replied the prince, 'that he did not make himself well
understood; but since you are come, who ought to know something of
the matter, give me leave to ask you who was that lady who was here
last night?'
The grand vizier was thunderstruck at this question; however, he
recovered himself and said, 'My lord, be not surprised at my
astonishment at your question. Is it possible that a lady, or any
other person in the world, should penetrate by night into this
place, without entering at the door and walking over the body of
your slave? I beseech you, recollect yourself, and you will find it
is only a dream which has made this impression on you.'
'I give no ear to what you say,' said the prince, raising his
voice; 'I must know of you absolutely what is become of the lady;
and if you hesitate to obey me, I shall soon be able to force you
to obey me.'
At these stern words the grand vizier began to be in greater
confusion than before, and was thinking how to extricate himself.
He endeavoured to pacify the prince by good words, and begged of
him, in the most humble and guarded manner, to tell him if he had
seen this lady.
'Yes, yes,' answered the prince, 'I have seen her, and am very well
satisfied you sent her.
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