sister, and she of them; and to judge of her understanding by her looks, I am not surprised that the brothers would do nothing without their sister's consent; but,' added he, 'I hope to be better acquainted with you, madam, after I have seen the house.'
'Sir,' said the princess, 'it is only a plain country-house, fit for such people as we are, who live retired from the great world. It is not to be compared with houses in great cities, much less with the magnificent palaces of sultans.'
'I cannot perfectly agree with you in opinion,' said the sultan, very obligingly, 'for its first appearance makes me suspect you; however, I will not pass my judgment upon it till I have seen it all; therefore be pleased to conduct me through the apartments.'
The princess led the sultan through all the rooms but the hall; and, after he had considered them all very attentively, and admired their variety, 'My fair one,' said he to the Princess Parizade, 'do you call this a country-house? The finest and largest cities would soon be deserted if all country-houses were like yours. I am no longer surprised that you take so much delight in it, and despise the town. Now let me see the garden, which I doubt not is as fine as the house.'
The princess opened a door which led into the garden; and the first object which presented itself to the sultan's view was the golden fountain. Surprised at so rare a sight, he asked whence came such wonderful water, where was its source, and by what art it was made to play so high that he thought nothing in the world could compare with it? He said he would presently take a nearer view.
Then the princess led him to the spot where the harmonious tree was planted; and there the sultan heard a concert, which was different from all the concerts he had ever heard in his life; and stopping to see where the musicians were, he could discern nobody far or near; but still distinctly heard the music, which ravished his senses. 'My fair one,' said he to the Princess Parizade, 'where are the musicians? Are they underground, or invisible in the air?'
'Sir,' answered the princess, smiling, 'it is not musicians, but the tree your majesty sees before you which makes this concert;
