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Ah, perfidious Zumio! cried I.

He has not wilfully betrayed you, replied Agelia; I persuaded him I was in the secret; he has not wanted discretion; he has only been deceived by a woman; and this is a misfortune which neither human prudence, nor magic itself, could ever yet shield a philosopher, or the most sublime of the genii, from sometimes experiencing. As to any thing farther, my lord, if it be on my account you regret so bitterly your turquoise, your grief is ill founded, for, I assure you, I have not the least wish to deceive you.

Wherefore, cruel woman, have you ravished this precious talisman from me, which would have prevented all doubts, and rendered assurances of fidelity superfluous?

Yes, my lord, I know the ring left me nothing to say; but I love to talk; and, besides, you must allow such kind of security would not be very flattering to me. Can you say it would have been generous and delicate secretly to consult this ring at every instant, to know whether you ought to believe my protesta-

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