on round him that the Princess bade her slave look out of the window and ask what was the matter. The slave said it was the holy woman, curing people by her touch of their ailments, whereupon the Princess, who had long desired to see Fatima, sent for her. On coming to the Princess the magician offered up a prayer for her health and prosperity. When he had done the Princess made him sit by her, and begged him to stay with her always.
The false Fatima, who wished for nothing better, consented, but kept his veil down for fear of discovery. The Princess showed him the hall, and asked him what he thought of it. ‘It is truly beautiful,’ said the false Fatima. ‘In my mind it wants but one thing.’ ‘And what is that?’ said the Princess. ‘If only a roc’s egg,’ replied he, ‘were hung up from the middle of this dome, it would be the wonder of the world.’
After this the Princess could think of nothing but the roc’s egg, and when Aladdin returned from hunting he found her in a very
