II When Prince Ahmed came pretty nigh to these rocks he perceived an arrow , which he gathered up , looked earnestly at it , and was in the greatest astonishment to find it was the same he shot away . `` Certainly , '' said he to himself , `` neither I nor any man living could shoot an arrow so far , '' and , finding it laid flat , not sticking into the ground , he judged that it rebounded against the rock . `` There must be some mystery in this , '' said he to himself again , `` and it may be advantageous to me . Perhaps fortune , to make me amends for depriving me of what I thought the greatest happiness , may have reserved a greater blessing for my comfort . '' As these rocks were full of caves and some of those caves were deep , the Prince entered into one , and , looking about , cast his eyes on an iron door , which seemed to have no lock , but he feared it was fastened . However , thrusting against it , it opened , and discovered an easy descent , but no steps , which he walked down with his arrow in his hand . At first he thought he was going into a dark , obscure place , but presently a quite different light succeeded that which he came out of , and , entering into a large , spacious place , at about fifty or sixty paces distant , he perceived a magnificent palace , which he had not then time enough to look at . At the same time a lady of majestic port and air advanced as far as the porch , attended by a large troop of ladies , so finely dressed and beautiful that it was difficult to distinguish which was the mistress . As soon as Prince Ahmed perceived the lady , he made all imaginable haste to go and pay his respects ; and the lady , on her part , seeing him coming , prevented him from addressing his discourse to her first , but said to him : `` Come nearer , Prince Ahmed , you are welcome . '' It was no small surprise to the Prince to hear himself named in a place he had never heard of , though so nigh to his father 's capital , and he could not comprehend how he should be known to a lady who was a stranger to him . At last he returned the lady 's compliment by throwing himself at her feet , and , rising up again , said to her : `` Madam , I return you a thousand thanks for the assurance you give me of a welcome to a place where I believed my imprudent curiosity had made me penetrate too far . But , madam , may I , without being guilty of ill manners , dare to ask you by what adventure you know me ? and how you , who live in the same neighborhood with me , should be so great a stranger to me ? '' `` Prince , '' said the lady , `` let us go into the hall , there I will gratify you in your request . '' After these words the lady led Prince Ahmed into the hall . Then she sat down on a sofa , and when the Prince by her entreaty had done the same she said : `` You are surprised , you say , that I should know you and not be known by you , but you will be no longer surprised when I inform you who I am . You are undoubtedly sensible that your religion teaches you to believe that the world is inhabited by genies as well as men . I am the daughter of one of the most powerful and distinguished genies , and my name is Paribanou . The only thing that I have to add is , that you seemed to me worthy of a more happy fate than that of possessing the Princess Nouronnihar ; and , that you might attain to it , I was present when you drew your arrow , and foresaw it would not go beyond Prince Houssain 's . I took it in the air , and gave it the necessary motion to strike against the rocks near which you found it , and I tell you that it lies in your power to make use of the favorable opportunity which presents itself to make you happy . ''
XXXXX the Fairy Paribanou pronounced these last words with a different tone , and looked , at the same time , tenderly upon Prince Ahmed , with a modest blush on her cheeks , it was no hard matter for the Prince to comprehend what happiness she meant .
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