THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.
86
When
who had given orders that he should be informed when the princess was ready to receive a
the sultan,
came
visit,
upon
to wait
her,
he had
after
enquired after her health, he acquainted her that those
rejoicings
more
solemn,
were and
at
to
all
render their
nuptials
the
same time
desired
her
the
assent to the union.
This declaration put her into such agitation that she fainted away.
The women slaves who were present assistance, and when at length she began from her swoon she resolved the
sultan
and
be
false
the
to recover
sooner than wed
that,
to
ran to her
prince, she
feign madness, thereby gaining a little time in to
make
So she began
plans for her escape.
the most extravagant expressions
and even rose from her seat
He
before
the
would which
to utter sultan,
as if to attack him.
was greatly grieved, fearing that
it
was
his
sudden and unexpected proposal that had caused the
As
attack. left
her
the
greatest
his
with
presence seemed to her
care
women, of
her
irritate
charging
and
them
never to
her, to
he
take
leave her
alone.
He
sent
many
times during the day to enquire
after her, but the reports he received
favourable. better,
to ask
and if
The
The next day the sultan
sent
were most un-
the princess was for his
still
no
Court physicians
they could cure her. princess,
who
feared
if
they examined her