“ ‘Selim,’ replied she seriously, ‘I have no secret for you, and you shall have none for me, if you please. How far are you advanced?’

“ ‘Almost to the end of the novel.’

“ ‘And with whom?’ said she earnestly.

“ ‘You know Marteza.’

“ ‘Yes, sure; she is a very amiable woman.’

“ ‘Well then, after having in vain tried all means to please you, I turned to that side. I was wished for above half a year; two interviews levell’d the outworks, a third will complete my happiness; and this very night Marteza expects me to supper. Her conversation is amusing, light, and a little caustic; but, that excepted, she is the best creature in the world. A person transacts his little affairs better with those giggling women, than with those lofty dames, who⁠—’