“And always believe, as a good mussulman, in the fidelity of your mistress,” added the Sultan.

“Ah! prince,” replied Selim with vivacity, “Fulvia is faithful to me.”

“Faithful, or not,” answered Mangogul, “what is that to your happiness? You believe it, and that is sufficient?”

“Oh then! ’tis Fulvia that you are now in love with,” said the favorite.

“Yes, madam,” answered Selim.

“So much the worse, my friend,” added Mangogul: “I have not a grain of faith in her. She is perpetually beset by Bramins, and these Bramins are terrible fellows: besides, I find she has little Chinese eyes, with a turn’d up nose; and an air thoroughly inclining to the side of pleasure. Between us, is this true?”

“Prince,” answered Selim, “I believe she has no aversion to it.”