'
'With all my heart,' replied I, and took the scimitar in my hand.
But I did it only to demonstrate by my behaviour, as much as
possible, that as she had shown her resolution to sacrifice her
life for my sake, I would not refuse to sacrifice mine for hers.
The princess, notwithstanding her pain and suffering, understood my
meaning, which she signified by an obliging look. Upon this I
stepped back, and threw the scimitar on the ground. 'I should for
ever,' said I to the genie, 'be hateful to all mankind were I to be
so base as to murder a lady like this, who is ready to give up the
ghost: do with me what you please, since I am in your power; I
cannot obey your barbarous commands.'
'I see,' said the genie, 'that you both outbrave me, but both of
you shall know, by the treatment I give you, what I am capable of
doing.' At these words the monster took up the scimitar and cut off
one of her hands, which left her only so much life as to give me a
token with the other that she bid me adieu for ever, the sight of
which threw me into a fit. When I was come to myself again, I
expostulated with the genie as to why he made me languish in
expectation of death. 'Strike,' cried I, 'for I am ready to receive
the mortal blow, and expect it as the greatest favour you can show
me.
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