Page 63 - Bulbul Hezar

youngest sister. They proposed a great many ways; but in
deliberating about the manner of executing them, they found

so many difficulties, that they durst not attempt them. In the
mean time, they often went together to make her visits, with
a detestable dissimulation, and every time gave her all the
marks of friendship they could imagine, to persuade her how
overjoyed they were to have a sister raised to so high a
fortune. The sultaness, for her part, always received them
with all the demonstrations of esteem and

value they could expect from a sister who was not puffed up
with her high dignity, and loved them as cordially as before.
Some months after their marriage, the sultaness found
herself to be with child; upon which the sultan expressed
great joy, which was communicated to all the court, and so
spread throughout the capital city, and all Persia. Upon this
news, the two sisters came to pay their compliments; and,
entering into a discourse with their sister about her lying-in,
they proffered their service to deliver her, desiring her, if she

was not provided with a midwife, to accept of them.
The sultaness said to them, most obligingly, Sisters, I should
desire no better, if it was absolutely in my power to make
choice of you: however, I am obliged to you for your good
_____

63