As soon as the crowd saw the attendants from the palace, they made
way; and the magician, perceiving also that they were coming for him,
advanced to meet them, overjoyed to find his plot succeed so well.
"Holy woman," said one of the slaves, "the princess wishes to see you,
and has sent us for you."
"The princess does me too great an honor," replied the false Fatima;
"I am ready to obey her command." And at the same time he followed the
slaves to the palace.
When the pretended Fatima had made his obeisance, the princess said,
"My good mother, I have one thing to request, which you must not
refuse me; it is, to stay with me, that you may edify me with your way
of living, and that I may learn from your good example."
"Princess," said the counterfeit Fatima, "I beg of you not to ask what
I cannot consent to without neglecting my prayers and devotion."
"That shall be no hindrance to you," answered the princess; "I have a
great many apartments unoccupied; you shall choose which you like
best, and have as much liberty to perform your devotions as if you
were in your own cell."
The magician, who really desired nothing more than to introduce
himself into the palace, where it would be a much easier matter for
him to execute his designs, did not long excuse himself from accepting
the obliging offer which the princess made him.
"Princess," said he, "whatever resolution a poor wretched woman as I
am may have made to renounce the pomp and grandeur of this world, I
dare not presume to oppose the will and commands of so pious and
charitable a princess.
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