The sultan coloured with rage.
“Yes,” replied I laughing, “you have one of them, you know very well.”
“Silence, Zara,” cried the sultan, in a firm tone.
“And why should I be silent, my lord? Have not I spoken the truth?”
“False woman! deny what you have falsely uttered.”
“Sultan, I will not deny the truth. I will, if you command me, hold my tongue.”
“Your slave has been honoured with my lord’s attentions, and denies the assertion as a calumny,” observed my rival.
“Peace, wretch! thou hast proved thyself unworthy of the honour, by thy lying tongue.”
“I tell thee, Zara, silence! or you shall feel my indignation.”
But I was now too angry, and I replied, “My lord, you well know that I once held my tongue for eighteen months; I therefore can be silent when I choose; but I can also speak when I choose, and now I do choose to speak. I have said it, and I will not retract my words.”