The princess Badoura, having discovered herself entirely to the
princess of the isle of Ebene, again prayed her to keep the
secret, and to accept her as a husband till prince Camaralzaman's
arrival, which she hoped would be in a little time.
Princess, replied Haiatalnefous, your fortune is indeed strange
that a marriage, so unhappy as yours was, should be rendered
unhappy by so unaccountable an accident, your love being
reciprocal, and full of wonders. Pray Heaven you may again meet
with your husband as soon as you desire! and be assured I will
keep the secret till he arrives. It will be the greatest pleasure
to me in the world to be the only person in the vast kingdom of
the isle of Ebene who knows what and who your are, while you
continue to govern the people as happily as you have begun: I
only ask to be your friend; nothing could be more to my
satisfaction. The two princesses tenderly embraced each other,
and, after a thousand vows of mutual friendship, lay down to
rest.
According to the custom of the country, the token of the
consummation of the marriage was to be produced and shown
publicly. The two princesses concerted a method to get over that
difficulty: queen Haiatalnefous's women, though cunning and
quick-sighted, were next morning deceived themselves, and king
Armanos, his queen, and the whole court, completely beguiled.
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