“My child,” said he to Mangogul, “I love you, you shall be satisfied.” Instantly he plunged his right hand into a deep pocket made under his armpit on the left side of his frock, and, together with images, bless’d beads, little leaden pagodas, and musty sweetmeats, drew out a silver ring, which Mangogul at first took for one of St. Hubert’s rings. “You see this ring,” said he to the Sultan, “put it on your finger, my child: every woman, at whom you shall level the stone, will relate her intrigues in a plain, audible voice. Do not imagine however, that ’tis by the mouth that they are to speak.”

“By what then will they speak?” says Mangogul.

“By the frankest part about them, and the best instructed in those things which you desire to know,” says Cucufa; “by their Toys.”

“By their Toys,” replies Mangogul bursting into laughter; “that is particular. Talking Toys! That is an unheard extravagance.”