“O, pray don’t excuse yourself from that sort of reading,” interrupted the favorite. “The new calumnies that are invented on us, are so insipid, that it is better to revive the old. Truly there are very good things in this same Brantome: if to these little stories you add three or four chapters of Bayle, you alone will in a thrice have as much wit as the marquiss D’⁠⸺, and the Chevalier de Mouhi. That would spread a surprising variety on your conversation. When you have equipped the ladies from head to foot, you might then fall on the Pagodas; and from the Pagodas you might return on the women. In truth, all that you want to make you quite diverting, is a small collection of impieties.”

“You are in the right, madam,” answered Mangogul, “and I will take care to lay in a good stock. He who is afraid of being duped in this world and the next, cannot be too much upon his guard against the power of the Pagodas, the probity of men, and virtue of women.”

“Then, in your opinion, this virtue is a very ambiguous thing?” replied Mirzoza.

“More so than you imagine,” answered Mangogul.