'The king, my father, had chosen for me a husband, a prince that
was my cousin; but in the midst of the rejoicing at the court,
before I was given to my husband, a genie took me away. I fainted
at the same moment, and lost my senses; and when I came to myself
again, I found myself in this place. I was for a long time
inconsolable, but time and necessity have accustomed me to the
genie. Twenty-five years, as I told you before, I have continued in
this place; where, I must confess, I have everything that I can
wish for necessary to life, and also everything that can satisfy a
princess fond of dress and fashions.
'Every ten days,' continued the princess, 'the genie comes hither
to see me. Meanwhile, if I have occasion for him by day or night,
as soon as I touch a talisman which is at the entrance into my
chamber, the genie appears. It is now the fourth day since he was
here, and I do not expect him before the end of six more; so, if
you please, you may stay five days and keep me company, and I will
endeavour to entertain you according to your rank and merit.'
I thought myself too fortunate in having obtained so great a favour
without asking it to refuse so obliging an offer.
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