“I have observed,” answered the courtier, “that the Toys have seldom or never spoke, but in presence of his highness; and I have fancied, that the Genius Cucufa, who has done so many surprising things in favour of Kanaglou the Sultan’s grandfather, might have endowed his grandson with the gift of making them speak. But Fulvia’s Toy has not as yet opened its mouth, as far as I could ever learn: might it not be possible to interrogate it, in order to procure you the castle, and to convince me of the fidelity of my mistress?”

“Doubtless,” replied the Sultan; “what is your opinion, madam?”

“Oh! I shall not meddle in so ticklish an affair. Selim is too much my friend, to expose him, for the sake of a castle; to the risk of being made unhappy the rest of his days.”

“But you do not consider,” replied the Sultan: “Fulvia is virtuous: Selim would run his hand into the fire to prove it. He has said it, and he is not a man to flinch from his word.”