it with as much joy as if it had been the most agreeable information she could have received. She thanked her father for having so greatly obliged her; and perceiving that he was overwhelmed with grief, told him for his consolation, that she hoped he would never repent of having married her to the sultan; and that, on the contrary, he should have reason to rejoice at his compliance all his days. Her business now was to adorn herself to appear before the sultan; but before she went, she took her sister Dinarzade apart, and said to her, “My


81 of 5428

dispel those painful apprehensions which so many mothers feel of losing their daughters in such a fatal manner.” “Your design, daughter,” replied the vizier “is very commendable; but the evil you would remedy seems to me incurable. How do you propose to effect your purpose?” “Father,” said Scheherazade, “since by your means the sultan makes every day


81 of 8507