“A bargain,” replies the Sultan, “Selim shall be our judge. I only desire a little respite before I examine Egle’s Toy. The court air, and her husband’s jealousy, must be allowed time to operate.”

Mirzoza granted a month to Mangogul; which was double the time he required: and they parted equally filled with hope.

The city of Banza also would have been full of wagers on either side, if the Sultan’s promise had been divulged. But Selim kept the secret, and Mangogul clandestinely prepared for winning or losing. As he was quitting the favorite’s apartment, he heard her call out to him from her closet: “Prince, and the little monkey.”

“And the little monkey,” answered Mangogul, and went out. He was going directly to the private lodge of a senator, whither we will attend him.