“Delight of my soul,” said the Sultan, “I am willing to own the inaccuracy of my enumeration, and will add the tender woman to the preceding characters; but on condition that you will furnish me with a definition of her, which will not coincide with any of mine.”

“Most willingly,” said Mirzoza. “I hope to compass it without quitting your system.”

“Let us see,” added Mangogul.

“Well then,” replied the favorite⁠—“a tender woman is she⁠—”

“Courage, Mirzoza,” said Mangogul.

“Oh! I beg you won’t disturb me. The tender woman is she⁠—who has loved without a word utter’d by her Toy, or⁠—whose Toy has never spoke, but in favor of the single man whom she loved.”