King Armanos's coldness the day before
had given her but too much reason to see that he was highly
dissatisfied with her. The only way to justify her conduct was to
communicate her sex to the princess Haiatalnefous. She had
foreseen she should be under a necessity of discovering it to
her, yet, now she was about to make such a declaration, was
afraid how she would receive it: but, considering that if
Camaralzaman was alive, he must necessarily touch at the isle of
Ebene in his way to King Schahzaman his father's kingdom, that
she ought to preserve herself for his sake; and as it was
impossible to do it, if she did not let the princess
Haiatalnefous know who and what she was, she resolved to venture,
and try to get off that way.
The princess Badoura stood as one struck dumb; and Haiatalnefous,
being impatient to hear what she could say, was about to speak to
her again, when she stopped her by these words: Lovely and too
charming princess! I own I have been in the wrong, and I condemn
myself for it; but I hope you will pardon me, and keep the secret
I am going to reveal to you for my justification.
She then opened her bosom, and, showing her naked breasts,
proceeded thus: See, princess, if a woman, and a princesss like
yourself, does not deserve to be forgiven; I believe you will be
so good at least, when you know my story, and the terrible
affliction that forced me to act the part you see.
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