The next morning Prince Ahmed set out by daybreak , without taking leave either of the Sultan or any of his Court , according to custom . The magician , seeing him coming , followed him with her eyes , till on a sudden she lost sight of him and his attendants . As the rocks were very steep and craggy , they were an insurmountable barrier , so that the magician judged that there were but two things for it : either that the Prince retired into some cavern , or an abode of genies or fairies . Thereupon she came out of the place where she was hid and went directly to the hollow way , which she traced till she came to the farther end , looking carefully about on all sides ; but , notwithstanding all her diligence , could perceive no opening , not so much as the iron gate which Prince Ahmed discovered , which was to be seen and opened to none but men , and only to such whose presence was agreeable to the Fairy Paribanou . The magician , who saw it was in vain for her to search any farther , was obliged to be satisfied with the discovery she had made , and returned to give the Sultan an account . The Sultan was very well pleased with the magician 's conduct , and said to her : `` Do you as you think fit ; I 'll wait patiently the event of your promises , '' and to encourage her made her a present of a diamond of great value . As Prince Ahmed had obtained the Fairy Paribanou 's leave to go to the Sultan of the Indies ' Court once a month , he never failed , and the magician , knowing the time , went a day or two before to the foot of the rock where she lost sight of the Prince and his attendants , and waited there . The next morning Prince Ahmed went out , as usual , at the iron gate , with the same attendants as before , and passed by the magician , whom he knew not to be such , and , seeing her lie with her head against the rock , and complaining as if she were in great pain , he pitied her , turned his horse about , went to her , and asked her what was the matter with her , and what he could do to ease her . The artful sorceress looked at the Prince in a pitiful manner , without ever lifting up her head , and answered in broken words and sighs , as if she could hardly fetch her breath , that she was going to the capital city , but on the way thither she was taken with so violent a fever that her strength failed her , and she was forced to lie down where he saw her , far from any habitation , and without any hopes of assistance . `` Good woman , '' replied Prince Ahmed , `` you are not so far from help as you imagine . I am ready to assist you , and convey you where you will meet with a speedy cure ; only get up , and let one of my people take you behind him . '' At these words the magician , who pretended sickness only to know where the Prince lived and what he did , refused not the charitable offer he made her , and that her actions might correspond with her words she made many pretended vain endeavors to get up . At the same time two of the Prince 's attendants , alighting off their horses , helped her up , and set her behind another , and mounted their horses again , and followed the Prince , who turned back to the iron gate , which was opened by one of his retinue who rode before . And when he came into the outward court of the Fairy , without dismounting himself , he sent to tell her he wanted to speak with her . The Fairy Paribanou came with all imaginable haste , not knowing what made Prince Ahmed return so soon , who , not giving her time to ask him the reason , said : `` Princess , I desire you would have compassion on this good woman , '' pointing to the magician , who was held up by two of his retinue . `` I found her in the condition you see her in , and promised her the assistance she stands in need of , and am persuaded that you , out of your own goodness , as well as upon my entreaty , will not abandon her . '' The Fairy Paribanou , who had her eyes fixed upon the pretended sick woman all the time that the Prince was talking to her , ordered two of her women who followed her to take her from the two men that held her , and carry her into an apartment of the palace , and take as much care of her as she would herself . While the two women executed the Fairy 's commands , she went up to Prince Ahmed , and , whispering in his ear , said : `` Prince , this woman is not so sick as she pretends to be ; and I am very much mistaken if she is not an impostor , who will be the cause of a great trouble to you . But do n't be concerned , let what will be devised against you ; be persuaded that I will deliver you out of all the snares that shall be laid for you . Go and pursue your journey . ''
This discourse of the Fairy 's did not XXXXX the least frighten Prince Ahmed .
While against as at for from in that to with