At the same time a lady of majestic port and air advanced as far as the porch , attended by a large troop of ladies , so finely dressed and beautiful that it was difficult to distinguish which was the mistress . As soon as Prince Ahmed perceived the lady , he made all imaginable haste to go and pay his respects ; and the lady , on her part , seeing him coming , prevented him from addressing his discourse to her first , but said to him : `` Come nearer , Prince Ahmed , you are welcome . '' It was no small surprise to the Prince to hear himself named in a place he had never heard of , though so nigh to his father 's capital , and he could not comprehend how he should be known to a lady who was a stranger to him . At last he returned the lady 's compliment by throwing himself at her feet , and , rising up again , said to her : `` Madam , I return you a thousand thanks for the assurance you give me of a welcome to a place where I believed my imprudent curiosity had made me penetrate too far . But , madam , may I , without being guilty of ill manners , dare to ask you by what adventure you know me ? and how you , who live in the same neighborhood with me , should be so great a stranger to me ? '' `` Prince , '' said the lady , `` let us go into the hall , there I will gratify you in your request . '' After these words the lady led Prince Ahmed into the hall . Then she sat down on a sofa , and when the Prince by her entreaty had done the same she said : `` You are surprised , you say , that I should know you and not be known by you , but you will be no longer surprised when I inform you who I am . You are undoubtedly sensible that your religion teaches you to believe that the world is inhabited by genies as well as men . I am the daughter of one of the most powerful and distinguished genies , and my name is Paribanou . The only thing that I have to add is , that you seemed to me worthy of a more happy fate than that of possessing the Princess Nouronnihar ; and , that you might attain to it , I was present when you drew your arrow , and foresaw it would not go beyond Prince Houssain 's . I took it in the air , and gave it the necessary motion to strike against the rocks near which you found it , and I tell you that it lies in your power to make use of the favorable opportunity which presents itself to make you happy . '' As the Fairy Paribanou pronounced these last words with a different tone , and looked , at the same time , tenderly upon Prince Ahmed , with a modest blush on her cheeks , it was no hard matter for the Prince to comprehend what happiness she meant . He presently considered that the Princess Nouronnihar could never be his and that the Fairy Paribanou excelled her infinitely in beauty , agreeableness , wit , and , as much as he could conjecture by the magnificence of the palace , in immense riches . He blessed the moment that he thought of seeking after his arrow a second time , and , yielding to his love , `` Madam , '' replied he , `` should I all my life have the happiness of being your slave , and the admirer of the many charms which ravish my soul , I should think myself the most blessed of men . Pardon in me the boldness which inspires me to ask this favor , and do n't refuse to admit me into your Court , a prince who is entirely devoted to you . '' `` Prince , '' answered the Fairy , `` will you not pledge your faith to me , as well as I give mine to you ? '' `` Yes , madam , '' replied the Prince , in an ecstacy of joy ; `` what can I do better , and with greater pleasure ? Yes , my sultaness , my queen , I 'll give you my heart without the least reserve . ''
`` Then , '' XXXXX the Fairy , `` you are my husband , and I am your wife .
Come answered distinguish foresaw go know made presents strike tell