with her usual justness, when she
said that it was a Chestnut. She answered the third without
hesitation, that it was a Distaff.

So much knowledge, so much presence of mind, joined to such uncommon
personal charms, threw all minds into so pleasing a confusion that,
notwithstanding the awe that the presence of Nourgehan inspired, they
all loudly expressed the joy, admiration, and pleasure they felt at
being witnesses of so uncommon a scene. Damake then made a sign that
she wished now to speak. Silence was commanded, and she desired the
sages to inform her what was sweeter than honey.

Some of them answered that it was the satisfaction of having our
wishes fulfilled, some that of gratitude, and others it was the
pleasure of conferring obligations.

When Damake had let them speak, she applauded all their reasonable and
just thoughts, but finished her discourse by asking them with
gentleness if she was mistaken when she imagined the sweetest thing
upon earth to be the love of a mother for her child.

An answer so suitable to her sex, who ought always to be attached to
their maternal duty, and proposed with so much modesty, entirely
finished the conquest of their hearts. But Damake, who had no other
design upon this occasion than to conciliate their esteem and
authorize the favours with which Nourgehan honoured her, was resolved
to finish a scene which she did not design to repeat, resolving for
the future to be occupied with schemes and ideas of a higher kind.
Damake then caused instruments to be brought, and sang and played in
all the different modes of music, finishing by singing the famous
strain of Zeaghioule.

Nourgehan, in those transports of joy which are given by the repeated
successes of those one loves, dismissed the assembly, but not without
making some large presents to the sages; and when they had all
retired, he threw himself at the knees of Damake, saying, "Thou art
the life of my soul: haste thee to make me happy!"

The beauty answered that she was not yet worthy of him.

"What can you require further?" cried the passionate Prince. "You have
charmed my whole Court; you have confounded the learning of the men
most celebrated for their wisdom; the justness of your answers, the
moderation of your questions, and the modesty with which you bore the
advantage of so great a triumph, have dazzled them. Not satisfied with
having proved your sense, what talents did not you show when you
touched the musical i