“A trifle,” replied Alibeg. “This gentleman boasts, and even loftily,” added he, showing his friend, “that you give him hopes. Madam, how stands this matter?”⁠—Amina was opening her mouth, but the Sultan turning his ring that very instant, she closed it, and her Toy answered for her.

“In my opinion Nasses is mistaken: no, it is not he that madam chooses. Has he not a lusty footman who is a better man? Oh! how foolish these men are in imagining that dignities, honours, titles, names, words void of meaning, impose on Toys. Everyone has his own philosophy, and ours consists in distinguishing personal merit, true merit, from that which is but imaginary. With Monsieur de Claville’s leave, he knows less of that subject than we; which I will prove.