"Is not this a fine hall?" she asked, as they sat together in the hall of the jeweled windows.
"It is indeed most beautiful," answered the Magician, who kept his veil carefully down, "but to my mind there is one thing wanting. If only thou couldst have a roc's egg hung in the dome it would be perfect."
As soon as the Princess heard these words she became discontented and miserable, and when Aladdin came in, she looked so sad that he at once asked what was the matter.
"I can never be happy until I have a roc's egg hanging from the dome of the great hall," she answered.
"In that case thou shalt soon be happy," said Aladdin gaily, and taking down the lamp, he summoned the Genie.
But when the Slave of the Lamp heard the order his face grew terrible with rage, and his eyes gleamed like burning coals.
"Vile wretch!" he shrieked, "have I not given thee all thy wishes, and now dost thou ask me to kill my master, and hang him as an ornament in thy palace? Thou deservest truly to die; but I know that the request cometh not from thine own heart, but was the suggestion of that wicked Magician who pretends to be a holy woman."
With these words the Genie vanished, and. Aladdin went at once to the room where the Princess was awaiting him.
"I have a headache," he said. "Call the holy woman, that she may place her hand upon my forehead and ease the pain."
But the moment that the false Fatima appeared Aladdin sprang up and plunged his dagger into that evil heart.
"What hast thou done?" cried the Princess. "Alas! thou hast slain the holy woman."
"This is no holy woman," answered Aladdin, "but an evil Magician whose purpose was to destroy us both."
So Aladdin was saved from the wicked design of the two Magicians, and there was no one left to disturb his peace. He and the Princess lived together in great happiness for many years, and when the Sultan died they succeeded to the throne, and ruled both wisely and well. And so there was great peace throughout the land.
It was New Year's day in Persia, the most splendid feast-day of all the year, and the King had been entertained, hour after hour, by the wonderful shows prepared for him by his people. Evening was drawing on and the court was just about to retire, when an Indian appeared, leading a horse which he wished to show to the King. It was not a real horse, but it was so wonderfully made that it looked exactly as if it were alive.
