_Fourteenth trial of the Ring._
The mute Toy.
Of all the ladies, who shone at the Sultan's court, none had more
charms and wit than young Egle, the wife of his highness's great
cupbearer. She was of all Mangogul's parties, who was much taken with
the chearfulness of her conversation: and as if there could be neither
pleasure nor amusement without Egle, she was also of all the parties
of the grandees of his court. Balls, public diversions, drawing rooms,
feasts, private suppers, hunting matches, play, every where Egle was
invited, and every where she appear'd: it seem'd as if the taste of
amusements multiplied her, according to the will of those who desired
her company. Wherefore it is needless to say, that if no woman was as
much sought after as Egle, there was none so diffused.
She had been always pursued by a crowd of lovers, and people were
persuaded that she had not treated them all with severity. Whether
it were inadvertence, or thorough good nature, her common politeness
frequently resembled premeditated regard: and those who endeavour'd to
gain her, sometimes read affection in her eyes, when she never intended
more than affability. Neither caustic, nor detracting, she never
open'd her mouth but to say pleasing things: which she did with such
spirit and vivacity, that on several occasions, her encomiums raised
a suspicion that she had a choice to justify. Thus it appears, that
those, of whom Egle was the ornament and delight, were unworthy of her.
It was natural to think, that a woman, in whom no fault perhaps was to
be found, but an excess of goodness, ought to have no enemies. Yet she
had some, and very bitter ones. The devouts of Banza found that she had
too free an air, and somewhat too loose in her carriage; saw nothing in
her conduct but a rage of worldly pleasures; inferred thence, that her
morals were equivocal at least, and charitably insinuated this to all
those that would hear them.
The court ladies did not treat Egle with greater tenderness. They
suspected her intimacies, gave her gallants, even honored her with
some great adventures, made her a party concerned in others: they knew
particulars, and quoted witnesses. "Good," whispered they, "she has
been surprized _tête à tête_ with Melraim in one of the groves of the
great park. Egle does not want wit," added they; "but Melraim has too
much good sense to be amused with her speeches alone, at ten at night,
in a grove."--"You are mistaken," said a _Petit-Maitre_, "I have walked
with her a hundred times in the dusk of the evening, and found my
account in it. But _à propos_, do you know that Zulemar is daily at her
toilette?"--"Doubtless, we know it, and that she has no toilette but
when her husband is in waiting at court."----"Poor Celebi," continued
another, "indeed his wife advertises him by the aigrette and diamond
buckles, which she received of the pacha Ismael."----"Is that true,
madam?"----"It is strict truth, I have it from her own mouth: but in
the name of Brama let this go no farther. Egle is my friend, and I
should be very sorry"----"Alas," cried a third sorrowfully, "the poor
little creature ruins herself very chearfully. A great pity truly. But
twenty intrigues at a time, that seems rather too much."
The _Petits-Maitres_ were not more sparing of her. One related a
hunting match, in which she and he lost themselves together. Another,
out of respect for the sex, suppress'd the consequences of a very
smart conversation he held with her at a masquerade, where he met her.
A third made a panegyric on her wit and charms, and ended it by shewing
her portrait, which he declared he had from the best hands. "This
portrait," said a fourth, "is more like her than that, of which she
made a present to Jenaki."
These stories at length came to her husband's ears. Celebi loved his
wife, but still with such decency, that no body had the least suspicion
of it. He repulsed the first reports, but they return'd to the charge
from so many quarters, that he thought his friends more clear-sighted
than himself: and the more liberty he had granted to Egle, the more
he suspected that she had abused it. Jealousy took possession of his
soul. He began by cramping his wife. Egle bore this change of behaviour
with the greater impatience, as she was conscious of her innocence.
Her vivacity and the advices of her female friends, hurried her into
inconsiderate deportment, which made all the appearances turn against
her, and had like to cost her her life. The violent Celebi for some
time rack'd his brain with a thousand projects of revenge, steel,
poison, the fatal noose, &c. and at length resolved on a slower and
more cruel punishment, by confining her to his country seat: which is
death indeed to a court lady. In a word, orders are given: Egle is
inform'd of her destiny: he is insensible to her tears and deaf to her
reasons, and she is banish'd two hundred miles from Banza, to an old
castle, where she is allowed no other company than two maids and four
black eunuchs, who continually watch her.
Scarcely was she set out, when she was innocent. The _Petits-Maitres_
forgot her adventures; the women forgave her her wit and charms, and
all the world bemoaned her. Mangogul was apprized, from Celebi's own
mouth, of his motives for the dreadful resolution he had taken against
his wife, and seem'd to be the only person that approved it.
The wretched Egle had already groaned near six months under her exile,
when Kerfael's adventure happened. Mirzoza wish'd she might prove
innocent, but durst not indulge those flattering hopes. However, she
one day said to the Sultan: "Prince, might not your ring, which has
saved Kerfael's life, put an end to Egle's banishment? But I forget
myself: in order to that, her Toy should be consulted; and the poor
recluse is dying with grief two hundred miles hence."----"You interest
yourself much," answered Mangogul, "in Egle's fate." "Yes Prince," said
Mirzoza; "especially if she is innocent." "You shall have tydings of
this affair within an hour," replied Mangogul. "Do you not remember the
properties of my ring?"----At these words, he went into the garden,
turn'd his ring, and in less than fifteen minutes was in the park of
the castle wherein Egle dwelt.
There he espied Egle alone and overwhelm'd with sorrow: her head was
leaning on her hand, she was tenderly repeating her husband's name,
and with her tears she was watering the green turf, on which she sate.
Mangogul drawing near turn'd his ring on her, and Egle's Toy said in
a mournful strain: "I love Celebi." The Sultan waited for the sequel;
but as it came not, he had recourse to his ring, which he rubb'd two
or three times against his hat, before he levell'd it on Egle: but his
labour was vain. The Toy repeated: "I love Celebi," and stop'd short.
"There is a very discreet Toy," said the Sultan. "Let us try once more,
and ply it closer." Whereupon he gave to his ring all the energy, which
it was capable of receiving, and turn'd it nimbly on Egle: but her Toy
continued mute. It either constantly kept silence, or broke it only by
repeating these plaintive words: "I love Celebi, and have never loved
any other man."
Mangogul, being thoroughly satisfied, returned to Mirzoza in fifteen
minutes. "What, Prince," said she, "return'd already. Well, what have
you learnt? Do you bring fresh matter for our conversations?" "I bring
nothing," answered the Sultan. "What! nothing?"--"Nothing at all. I
never knew a Toy so silent: I could get nothing from it but these
words. 'I love Celebi, I love Celebi, and have never loved any other
man.'" "Ah! Prince," replied Mirzoza with vivacity, "what do you tell
me? What happy news! There is one virtuous woman found at last. Will
you suffer her to remain longer miserable?" "No," answered Mangogul:
"her banishment shall be at an end, but have you no apprehensions that
it may be at the expence of her virtue? Egle is chaste, but consider,
my heart's delight, what you require of me; to re-call her to my court,
in order that she may continue so: however you shall be satisfied."
The Sultan sent for Celebi immediately, and told him; that having made
a strict inquiry into the reports spread abroad concerning Egle, he had
found them false and calumnious, and commanded him to bring her back to
court. Celebi obey'd, and presented his wife to Mangogul: she was going
to throw herself at his highness's feet, but the Sultan stopping her
said: "Madam, thank Mirzoza. Her friendship for you determined me to
clear up the truth of the facts imputed to you. Continue to embellish
my court; but remember that a pretty woman sometimes does herself as
much mischief by acts of imprudence, as by adventures."
The very next day Egle waited on the Manimonbanda, who received her
with a smile. The _Petits-Maitres_ redoubled their insipidities towards
her, and the women all ran to embrace and give her joy, and began again
to tear her in pieces.
End of the First Volume.