“If you leave the women any hands at all,” interrupted the Sultan, “those men whom you would reduce to the sole instrument of their passions, would be pursued. This chase would be a pleasant sight: and if the sex was as greedy of this game everywhere else as in Congo, the species would soon be extinct.”

“But,” said Selim to the favorite, “of what would you compose affectionate and sensible women, constant and faithful lovers?”

“Of a heart,” answered Mirzoza; “and I well know,” added she, darting a tender glance on Mangogul, “that, to which mine would wish to be united.”