'
Camaralzaman was extremely amazed to hear the King of the Isle of
Ebony, whom he was far from taking for a woman, much less for his
dear princess, name him, and declare that he knew him, while he
thought himself certain that he had never seen him before in his
life. He was much more surprised when he heard him praise him so
excessively. Those praises, however, did not disconcert him, though
he received them with such modesty as showed that he did not grow
vain. He prostrated himself before the throne of the king, and
rising again, 'Sire,' said he, 'I want words to express my
gratitude to your majesty for the honour you have done me: I shall
do all in my power to render myself worthy of your royal favour.'
From the council-board the prince was conducted to a palace, which
the Princess Badoura had ordered to be fitted up for him; where he
found officers and domestics ready to obey his commands, a stable
full of fine horses, and everything suitable to the rank of an
emir. Then the steward of his household brought him a strong box
full of gold for his expenses.
The less he understood whence came his great good fortune, the more
he admired it, but never once imagined that he owed it to the
Princess of China.
Pages:
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257