I found it after wandering about for half a day, and never could I have imagined anything so glorious.  The gate led into a square court, into which opened a hundred doors, ninety-nine of them being of rare woods and one of gold.  Through each of these doors I caught glimpses of splendid gardens or of rich storehouses.

Entering one of the doors which was standing open I found myself in a vast hall where forty young ladies, magnificently dressed, and of perfect beauty, were reclining.  As soon as they saw me they rose and uttered words of welcome, and even forced me to take possession of a seat that was higher than their own, though my proper place was at their feet.  Not content with this, one brought me splendid garments, while another filled a basin with scented water and poured it over my hands, and the rest busied themselves with preparing refreshments.  After I had eaten and drunk of the most delicate food and rarest wines, the ladies crowded round me and begged me to tell them all my adventures.

By the time I had finished night had fallen, and the ladies lighted up the castle with such a prodigious quantity of tapers that even day could hardly have been brighter.  We then sat down to a supper of dried fruits and sweetmeats, after which some sang and others danced.  I was so well amused that I did not notice how the time was passing, but at length one of the ladies approached and informed me it was midnight, and that, as I must be tired, she would conduct me to the room that had been prepared for me.  Then, bidding me good-night, I was left to sleep.

I spent the next thirty-nine days in much the same way as the first, but at the close of that time the ladies appeared (as was their custom) in my room one morning to inquire how I had slept, and instead of looking cheerful and smiling they were in floods of tears.  “Prince,” said they, “we must leave you, and never was it so hard to part from any of our friends.  Most likely we shall never see you again, but if you have sufficient self-command perhaps we may yet look forward to a meeting.”

“Ladies,” I replied, “what is the meaning of these strange words—­ I pray you to tell me?”

“Know then,” answered one of them, “that we are all princesses—­ each a king’s daughter.  We live in this castle together, in the way that you have seen, but at the end of every year secret duties call us away for the space of forty days.  The time has now come; but before we depart, we will leave you our keys, so that you may not lack entertainment during our absence.  But one thing we would ask of you.  The Golden Door, alone, forbear to open, as you value your own peace, and the happiness of your life.  That door once unlocked, we must bid you farewell for ever.”

Weeping, I assured them of my prudence, and after embracing me tenderly, they went their ways.