The words were hardly out of his mouth when I heard a slight noise behind , and before we could turn round both our heads were rolling in front of us , while the voice of Thelamis cried : ' `` Perjured wretches , answer me ; and you , faithless Tezila , tell me why you have betrayed me like this ? '' ` Then I understood what had happened , and that in his rage , he had mistaken me for my sister . ' `` Alas , '' replied my head in weak tones , `` I am not Tezila , but Dely , whose life you have destroyed , as well as that of your friend . '' At this Thelamis paused and seemed to reflect for an instant . ' `` Be not frightened , '' he said more quietly , `` I can make you whole again , '' and laying a magic powder on our tongues he placed our heads on our necks . In the twinkling of an eye our heads were joined to our bodies without leaving so much as a scar ; only that , blinded with rage as he still was , Thelamis had placed my head on the prince 's body , and his on mine ! -LSB- Illustration : THE WRONG HEADS ON THE WRONG BODIES -RSB- ' I can not describe to you how odd we both felt at this strange transformation . We both instinctively put up our hands -- he to feel his hair , which was , of course , dressed like a woman , and I to raise the turban which pressed heavily on my forehead . But we did not know what had happened to us , for the night was still dark . ` At this point Tezila appeared , followed by a troop of slaves bearing flowers . It was only by the light of their torches that we understood what had occurred . Indeed the first thought of both of us was that we must have changed clothes . ` Now in spite of what we may say , we all prefer our own bodies to those of anybody else , so notwithstanding our love for each other , at first we could not help feeling a little cross with Thelamis . However , so deep was the prince 's passion for me , that very soon he began to congratulate himself on the change . `` My happiness is perfect , '' he said , `` my heart , beautiful Dely , has always been yours , and now I have your head also . '' ` But though the prince made the best of it , Thelamis was much ashamed of his stupidity . `` I have , '' he said hesitatingly , `` two other pastilles which have the same magic properties as those I used before . Let me cut off your heads again , and that will put matters straight . '' The proposal sounded tempting , but was a little risky , and after consulting together we decided to let things remain as they were . `` Do not blame me then , '' continued Thelamis , `` if you will not accept my offer .
But take the two pastilles , and if it ever happens that you are decapitated a second time , make use of them XXXXX the way I have shown you , and each will get back his own head . ''
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