both went into the Princess Periezade's apartment, and
after they had asked her pardon for coming at so unseasonable a time,
they told her all the circumstances of their meeting the emperor.

The princess was somewhat surprised at this intelligence. "Your meeting
with the emperor," said she, "is happy and honourable and may in the end
be highly advantageous to you, but it places me in an awkward position.
It was on my account, I know, you refused the emperor, and I am
infinitely obliged to you for doing so. I know by this that you would
rather be guilty of incivility toward the emperor than violate the union
we have sworn to each other. You judge right, for if you had once gone
you would insensibly have been engaged to devote yourselves to him. But
do you think it an easy matter absolutely to refuse the emperor what he
seems so earnestly to desire? Monarchs will be obeyed in their desires,
and it may be dangerous to oppose them; therefore, if to follow my
inclination I should dissuade you from obeying him, it may expose you to
his resentment, and may render myself and you miserable. These are my
sentiments; but before we conclude upon anything let us consult the
Talking Bird and hear what he says; he is penetrating, and has promised
his assistance in all difficulties."

The princess sent for the cage, and after she had related the
circumstances to the Bird in the presence of her brothers, asked him
what they should do in this perplexity. The Bird answered: "The princes,
your brothers, must conform to the emperor's pleasure, and in their turn
invite him to come and see your house."

"But, Bird," replied the princess, "my brothers and I love one another,
and our friendship is yet undisturbed. Will not this step be injurious
to that friendship?" "Not at all," replied the Bird; "it will tend
rather to cement it." "Then," answered the princess, "the emperor will
see me." The Bird told her it was necessary he should, and that
everything would go better afterward.

Next morning the princes met the emperor hunting, who asked them if they
had remembered to speak to their sister. Prince Bahman approached and
answered: "Sir, we are ready to obey you, for we have not only obtained
our sister's consent with great ease, but she took it amiss that we
should pay her that deference in a matter wherein our duty to your
majesty was concerned. If we have offended, we hope you will pardon
us." "Do not be uneasy," replied the emperor. "I