e to complain obligingly of his
not having given notice, that he might have acquitted himself with the
more becoming respect, said to him: "Son, I come myself to know the
reason why you commanded the jewellers to desist from work, and take to
pieces what they had done."

Aladdin disguised the true reason, which was, that the sultan was not
rich enough in jewels to be at so great an expense, but said: "I beg of
you now to see if anything is wanting."

The sultan went directly to the window which was left imperfect, and
when he found it like the rest, fancied that he was mistaken, examined
the two windows on each side, and afterward all the four and twenty; but
when he was convinced that the window which several workmen had been so
long about was finished in so short a time, he embraced Aladdin, and
kissed him between his eyes. "My son," said he, "what a man you are to
do such surprising things always in the twinkling of an eye: there is
not your fellow in the world; the more I know, the more I admire you."

Aladdin received these praises from the sultan with modesty, and replied
in these words: "Sir, it is a great honour to me to deserve your
majesty's goodwill and approbation, and I assure you, I shall study to
deserve them more."

The sultan returned to his palace, but would not let Aladdin attend him.
When he came there, he found his grand vizier waiting, to whom he
related the wonder he had witnessed with the utmost admiration, and in
such terms as left the minister no room to doubt but that the fact was
as the sultan related it; though he was the more confirmed in his
belief that Aladdin's palace was the effect of enchantment, as he had
told the sultan the first moment he saw it. He was going to repeat the
observation, but the sultan interrupted him, and said: "You told me so
once before; I see, vizier, you have not forgotten your son's espousals
to my daughter." The grand vizier plainly saw how much the sultan was
prepossessed, therefore avoided disputes, and let him remain in his own
opinion. The sultan as soon as he rose every morning went into the
closet, to look at Aladdin's palace, and would go many times in a day to
contemplate and admire it.

Aladdin did not confine himself in his palace; but took care to show
himself once or twice a week in the town, by going sometimes to one
mosque, and sometimes to another, to prayers; or to visit the grand
vizier, who affected to pay his court to him on certain days