unt
of the loss of the young prince her husband, occasioned by the
jealousy of her two sisters. She told me also by what accident they
were transformed into dogs; and in the last place, after a thousand
testimonials of her love toward me, she introduced me to my youngest
sister, who had likewise taken sanctuary with her after the death of
her mother; and we have continued to live together in the house in
which we received the guests whom your highness found assembled on
your visit last night.

* * * * *

The caliph publicly expressed his admiration of what he had heard, and
inquired of Zobeide, "Madam, did not this fairy whom you delivered,
and who imposed such a rigorous command upon you, tell you where her
place of abode was, or that she would restore your sisters to their
natural shape?"

"Commander of the Faithful," answered Zobeide, "the fairy did leave
with me a bundle of hair, saying that her presence would one day be of
use to me; and then, if I only burned two tufts of this hair, she
would be with me in a moment."

"Madam," demanded the caliph, "where is the bundle of hair?"

She answered, "Ever since that time I have been so careful of it that
I always carry it about me."

Upon which she pulled it out of the case which contained it, and
showed it to him.

"Well, then," said the caliph, "let us bring the fairy hither; you
could not call her in a better time, for I long to see her."

Zobeide having consented, fire was brought in, and she threw the whole
bundle of hair into it. The palace at that instant began to shake, and
the fairy appeared before the caliph in the form of a lady very richly
dressed.

"Commander of the Faithful," said she to the prince, "you see I am
ready to receive your commands. At your wish I will not only restore
these two sisters to their former shape, but I will also cure this
lady of her scars, and tell you who it was that abused her."

The caliph sent for the two dogs from Zobeide's house, and when they
came a glass of water was brought to the fairy by her desire. She
pronounced over it some words, which nobody understood; then, throwing
some part of it upon Amina and the rest upon the dogs, the latter
became two ladies of surprising beauty, and the scars that were upon
Amina disappeared.

After this the fairy said to the caliph, "Commander of the Faithful, I
must now discover to you the unknown husband you inquire after. He is
Prince Amin