At the same time, by moving his ring up and down with dexterity, Mangogul caused a very singular dialogue between the lady and her Toy. Ismene, who had always conducted her little affairs well enough, and had never had a confidante, answer’d the Sultan, that all the art of calumniators would be ineffectual.

“ Perhaps ,” answer’d the unknown voice.

“How, perhaps,” reply’d Ismene, piqued at this injurious doubt, “what have I to fear from them?”

“ Everything, if they knew as much as I. ”

“And what do you know?”

“ Many things, I tell you. ”