and do his bidding on pain of death. He changed clothes with her,
coloured his face like hers, put on her veil, and murdered her,
that she might tell no tales. Then he went towards the palace of
Aladdin, and all the people, thinking he was the holy woman,
gathered round him, kissing his hands and begging his blessing.
When he got to the palace there was such a noise going on round
him that the Princess bade her slave look out the window and ask
what was the matter. The slave said it was the holy woman, curing
people by her touch of their ailments, whereupon the Princess,
who had long desired to see Fatima, sent for her. On coming to
the Princess the magician offered up a prayer for her health and
prosperity. When he had done the Princess made him sit by her,
and begged him to stay with her always. The false Fatima, who
wished for nothing better, consented, but kept his veil down for
fear of discovery. The princess showed him the hall, and asked
him what he thought of it. "It is truly beautiful," said the
false Fatima. "In my mind it wants but one thing." And what is
that?" said the Princess. "If only a roc's egg," replied he,
"were hung up from the middle of this dome, it would be the
wonder of the world."

After this the Princess could think of nothing but the roc's egg,
and when Aladdin returned from hunting he found her in a very ill
humour. He begged to know what was amiss, and she told him that
all her pleasure in the hall was spoilt for want of a roc's egg
hanging from the dome. "If that is all," replied Aladdin, "you
shall soon be happy." He left her and rubbed the lamp, and when
the genie appeared commanded him to bring a roc's egg. The genie
gave such a loud and terrible shriek that the hall shook.