“ ‘But,’ answered Fannia, ‘Amisadar is a liar perhaps: do you imagine that there are women so daring as to abandon themselves without shame?’

“ ‘But consider, madam,’ replied Maruspha, ‘that Amisadar has named nobody, and it is very improbable that he has imposed.’

“ ‘I begin to see through the affair,’ says Fannia: ‘Amisadar has wit, and is a handsome man, he has, to be sure, infused some notions of sensual pleasure sure into this poor recluse, which have mastered her. Yes, this must be it: this sort of folks are dangerous to hear, and Amisadar is matchless in that way.’

“ ‘How, madam,’ interrupted Marsupha, ‘is Amisadar the only man that has the art of persuading, and will you not do justice to others, who deserve, as much as he, a share in your esteem?’

“ ‘Pray, whom do you mean?’

“ ‘Myself, madam, who think you a charming woman, and⁠—’