heard an order
proclaimed, commanding the people to shut up their shops and houses,
and keep within doors while the Princess Buddir al Buddoor, the
sultan's daughter, went to the bath and returned.

This proclamation inspired Aladdin with eager desire to see the
princess's face, which he determined to gratify by placing himself
behind the door of the bath, so that he could not fail to see her
face.

Aladdin had not long concealed himself before the princess came. She
was attended by a great crowd of ladies, slaves, and mutes, who walked
on each side and behind her. When she came within three or four paces
of the door of the bath, she took off her veil, and gave Aladdin an
opportunity of a full view of her face.

The princess was a noted beauty; her eyes were large, lively, and
sparkling; her smile bewitching; her nose faultless; her mouth small;
her lips vermilion. It is not therefore surprising that Aladdin, who
had never before seen such a blaze of charms, was dazzled and
enchanted.

After the princess had passed by, and entered the bath, Aladdin
quitted his hiding place, and went home. His mother perceived him to
be more thoughtful and melancholy than usual, and asked what had
happened to make him so, or if he were ill. He then told his mother
all his adventure, and concluded by declaring, "I love the princess
more than I can express, and am resolved that I will ask her in
marriage of the sultan."

Aladdin's mother listened with surprise to what her son told her. When
he talked of asking the princess in marriage, she laughed aloud.

"Alas! child," said she, "what are you thinking of? You must be mad to
talk thus."

"I assure you, mother," replied Aladdin, "that I am not mad, but in my
right senses. I foresaw that you would reproach me with folly and
extravagance; but I must tell you once more that I am resolved to
demand the princess of the sultan in marriage; nor do I despair of
success. I have the slaves of the lamp and of the ring to help me, and
you know how powerful their aid is. And I have another secret to tell
you; those pieces of glass, which I got from the trees in the garden
of the subterranean palace, are jewels of inestimable value, and fit
for the greatest monarchs. All the precious stones the jewelers have
in Bagdad are not to be compared to mine for size or beauty; and I am
sure that the offer of them will secure the favor of the sultan. You
have a large porcelain dish fit to hold them; fet