in ten purses.” No sooner said then done. Aladdin mounted his horse and
passed through the streets, the slaves strewing gold as they went.
Those who had played with him in his childhood knew him not, he had
grown so handsome. When the sultan saw him he came down from his
throne, embraced him, and led him into a hall where a feast was spread,
intending to marry him to the Princess that very day. But Aladdin
refused, saying, “I must build a palace fit for her,” and took his
leave. Once home, he said to the genie: “Build me a palace of the
finest marble, set with jasper, agate, and other precious stones. In
the middle you shall build me a large hall with a dome, its four walls
of massy gold and silver, each side having six windows, whose lattices,
all except one which is to be left unfinished, must be set with
diamonds and rubies. There must be stables and horses and grooms and
slaves; go and see about it!”

The palace was finished the next day, and the genie carried him there
and showed him all his orders faithfully carried out, even to the
laying of a velvet carpet from Aladdin’s palace to the Sultan’s.
Aladdin’s mother then dressed herself carefully, and walked to the
palace with her slaves, while he followed her on horseback. The Sultan
sent musicians with trumpets and cymbals to meet them, so that the air
resounded with music and cheers. She was taken to the Princess, who
saluted her and treated her with great honour. At night the princess
said good-bye to her father, and set out on the carpet for Aladdin’s
palace, with his mother at her side, and followed by the hundred
slaves. She was charmed at the sight of Aladdin, who ran to receive
her. “Princess,” he said, “blame your beauty for my boldness if I have
displeased you.” She told him that, having seen him, she willingly
obeyed her father in this matter. After the wedding had taken place,
Aladdin led her into the hall, where a feast was spread, and she supped
with him, after which they danced till midnight.

Next day Aladdin invited the Sultan to see the palace. On entering the
hall with the four-and-twenty windows with their rubies, diamonds and
emeralds, he cried, “It is a world’s wonder! There is only one thing
that surprises me. Was it by accident that one window was left
unfinished?” “No, sir, by design,” returned Aladdin. “I wished your
Majesty to have the glory of finishing this palace.” The Sultan was
pleased, and sent for the best jewelers in the city. He showed them the
unfinished window, and bade them fit it up like the others. “Sir,”

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