XLVIII
Twenty-Eighth Trial of the Ring
Olympia
“Rejoice, madam,” says Mangogul, coming in to the favorite’s apartment. “I bring you an agreeable piece of news. The Toys are a parcel of little fools, who know not what they say. Cucufa’s ring can indeed make them speak, but not extort the truth from them.”
“And how has your highness caught them in a lie?” says the favorite. “You shall hear,” answered the Sultan. “Selim promised you an account of all his adventures, and you make no doubt but that he has kept his word. Well then, I am just come from consulting a Toy, who accuses him of a naughty trick, which he has not confessed to you, and which most certainly he has not play’d, as it is quite contrary to his character. To tyrannize over a pretty woman, to lay her under contribution, on pain of military execution: can you discover Selim in this proceeding?”
“Pray, why not, Sir?” replied the favorite. “There is no malice of this sort, of which Selim has not been capable: and if he has concealed the adventure which you have discovered, possibly it is, that he is reconciled to this Toy, that they are well together, and that he thought he might keep that peccadillo from me, without swerving from his promise.”
“The perpetual falsity of your conjectures,” replied Mangogul, “ought to cure you of the disease of ever making any. There is nothing of what you imagine in the affair: it is one of the first flights of Selim’s youthful days. It regards one of those women, who are gained in a minute, but are never kept long.”
“Madam,” says Selim to the favorite, “in vain do I examine my self, I can recal nothing more to my memory; and at present I find my conscience quite clear.”
“Olympia,” says Mangogul—
“Ah! Prince,” interrupted Selim, “I know the thing; but this little story is so old, that it is no wonder that it has escaped me.”
“Olympia,” continued Mangogul, “wife of the chief cashier of Hasna, had coiffed herself with a young officer, captain in Selim’s regiment. Her lover came to her one morning in deep concern, to inform her that orders were issued for all the officers to set out and join their respective corps. My grandfather Kanaglou had resolved that year to open the campaign early: and an admirable project, which he had formed, miscarried, purely through the making these orders too public. The politicians murmured, the women exclaimed, each party had their reasons. I have told you those of Olympia. This woman took the party of seeing Selim, and, if possible, to prevent the departure of Gabalis: for that was her lover’s name. Selim already passed for a dangerous man. Olympia thought it was proper to have an escort: and two of her female friends, as handsome as her self, offered to accompany her. Selim was at home when they came. He received Olympia, who appeared alone, with that easy politeness, which you know he is master of, and asked what had procured him this agreeable visit? ‘Sir,’ says Olympia, ‘I interest my self for Gabalis: he has some important affairs on his hands, which make his presence necessary at Banza, and I come to you to beg six months leave of absence for him.’
“ ‘Six months leave, Madam? You do not consider,’ replied Selim: ‘the Sultan’s orders are precise: I am heartily concerned, that I cannot make a merit towards you of a favour, which would infallibly ruin me.’ New instances on Olympia’s side: on Selim’s new refusals—
“ ‘The Grand Vizir has promised me, that I should be comprehended in the next promotion. Can you desire me, madam, to drown my self, in order to oblige you?’
“ ‘No, Sir, you may oblige me, without drowning yourself.’
“ ‘Madam, it is impossible: but if you go to the Vizier—’
“ ‘Alas! Sir, to whom do you send me, that man never did anything for the ladies—’
“ ‘I rack my brain to no purpose: for I should be highly rejoiced in being able to render you service, and I can see but one way.’
“ ‘And which is that?’ asked Olympia with eagerness.
“ ‘Your intention,’ answered Selim, ‘would be to make Gabalis happy for six months: but, madam, could you not dispose of one quarter of an hour of those pleasures which you design for him?’ Olympia understood him wonderfully well, blushed, stammered; and concluded by exclaiming at the severity of the condition.
“ ‘Let us say no more of the affair,’ replied the colonel with a cold air, ‘Gabalis shall join his regiment: the prince’s service must be done. I might venture to take somewhat on my self: but you are inflexible. At least, madam, if Gabalis departs, it is you that send him away.’
“ ‘I,’ cry’d Olympia sharply: ‘Ah! Sir, make out his warrant quickly, and let him remain here.’ The essential preliminaries of the treaty were ratified on a sofa, and the lady thought she had made sure of Gabalis; when the traitor, who stands before you, took it into his head to ask her,
