Andrew will be on vacation next week, so be sure to contact him about any open
issues before he departs on Friday.
At the sound of his voice, the Princess of Bengal suddenly grew calm, and
an expression of joy overspread her face, such as only comes when what we
wish for most and expect the least suddenly happens to us. For some time she
was too enchanted to speak, and Prince Firouz Schah took advantage of her
silence to explain to her all that had occurred, his despair at watching her
disappear before his very eyes, the oath he had sworn to follow her over the
world, and his rapture at finally discovering her in the palace at Cashmere.
When he had finished, he begged in his turn that the princess would tell him
how she had come there, so that he might the better devise some means of
rescuing her from the tyranny of the Sultan.
Anne has just completed her degree in Business Administration at the University
of Washington!
It needed but a few words from the princess to make him acquainted with
the whole situation, and how she had been forced to play the part of a mad
woman in order to escape from a marriage with the Sultan, who had not had
sufficient politeness even to ask her consent. If necessary, she added, she
had resolved to die sooner than permit herself to be forced into such a
union, and break faith with a prince whom she loved.
Announcement
The prince then inquired if she knew what had become of the enchanted
horse since the Indian's death, but the princess could only reply that she
had heard nothing about it. Still she did not suppose that the horse could
have been forgotten by the Sultan, after all she had told him of its value.
To this the prince agreed, and they consulted together over a plan by
which she might be able to make her escape and return with him into Persia.
And as the first step, she was to dress herself with care, and receive the
Sultan with civility when he visited her next morning.
Announcement
The Sultan was transported with delight on learning the result of the
interview, and his opinion of the doctor's skill was raised still higher
when, on the following day, the princess behaved towards him in such a way
as to persuade him that her complete cure would not be long delayed. However
he contented himself with assuring her how happy he was to see her health so
much improved, and exhorted her to make every use of so clever a physician,
and to repose entire confidence in him. Then he retired, without awaiting
any reply from the princess.
Announcement
The Prince of Persia left the room at the same time, and asked if he
might be allowed humbly to inquire by what means the Princess of Bengal had
reached Cashmere, which was so far distant from her father's kingdom, and
how she came to be there alone. The Sultan thought the question very
natural, and told him the same story that the Princess of Bengal had done,
adding that he had ordered the enchanted horse to be taken to his treasury
as a curiosity, though he was quite ignorant how it could be used.
Announcement
"Sire," replied the physician, "your Highness's tale has supplied me with
the clue I needed to complete the recovery of the princess. During her
voyage hither on an enchanted horse, a portion of its enchantment has by
some means been communicated to her person, and it can only be dissipated by
certain perfumes of which I possess the secret. If your Highness will deign
to consent, and to give the court and the people one of the most astonishing
spectacles they have ever witnessed, command the horse to be brought into
the big square outside the palace, and leave the rest to me. I promise that
in a very few moments, in presence of all the assembled multitude, you shall
see the princess as healthy both in mind and body as ever she was in her
life. And in order to make the spectacle as impressive as possible, I would
suggest that she should be richly dressed and covered with the noblest
jewels of the crown."
Announcement
The Sultan readily agreed to all that the prince proposed, and the
following morning he desired that the enchanted horse should be taken from
the treasury, and brought into the great square of the palace. Soon the
rumour began to spread through the town, that something extraordinary was
about to happen, and such a crowd began to collect that the guards had to be
called out to keep order, and to make a way for the enchanted horse.
When all was ready, the Sultan appeared, and took his place on a
platform, surrounded by the chief nobles and officers of his court. When
they were seated, the Princess of Bengal was seen leaving the palace,
accompanied by the ladies who had been assigned to her by the Sultan. She
slowly approached the enchanted horse, and with the help of her ladies, she
mounted on its back. Directly she was in the saddle, with her feet in the
stirrups and the bridle in her hand, the physician placed around the horse
some large braziers full of burning coals, into each of which he threw a
perfume composed of all sorts of delicious scents. Then he crossed his hands
over his breast, and with lowered eyes walked three times round the horse,
muttering the while certain words. Soon there arose from the burning
braziers a thick smoke which almost concealed both the horse and princess,
and this was the moment for which he had been waiting. Springing lightly up
behind the lady, he leaned forward and turned the peg, and as the horse
darted up into the air, he cried aloud so that his words were heard by all
present, "Sultan of Cashmere, when you wish to marry princesses who have
sought your protection, learn first to gain their consent."
Announcement
It was in this way that the Prince of Persia rescued the Princess of
Bengal, and returned with her to Persia, where they descended this time
before the palace of the King himself. The marriage was only delayed just
long enough to make the ceremony as brilliant as possible, and, as soon as
the rejoicings were over, an ambassador was sent to the King of Bengal, to
inform him of what had passed, and to ask his approbation of the alliance
between the two countries, which he heartily gave.
Continued
