four windows, and went directly up to it, without giving previous notice to Aladdin; but it happened that at that very juncture Aladdin was opportunely there, and had just time to receive him at the door.
The sultan, without giving Aladdin time 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 good-will 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;
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