He pitched upon Azora, a lady of the greatest prudence, and of the best family in town. He married her, and lived with her for three months in all the delights of the most tender union. He only observed that she had a little levity; and was too apt to find that those young men who had the most handsome persons were likewise possessed of the most wit and virtue.
II.
THE NOSE.
One morning Azora returned from a walk in a terrible passion and uttering the most violent exclamations.
"What aileth thee," said he, "my dear spouse? What is it that can thus have disturbed thee?"
"Alas!" said she, "thou wouldst have been as much enraged as I am, hadst thou seen what I have just beheld. I have been to comfort the young widow Cosrou, who, within these two days, hath raised a tomb to her young husband, near the rivulet that washes the skirts of this meadow. She vowed to heaven, in the bitterness of her grief, to remain at this tomb whilst the water of the rivulet should continue to run near it."
"Well," said Zadig, "she is an excellent woman, and loved her husband with the most sincere affection."
"Ah!" replied Azora, "didst thou but know in what she was employed when I went to wait upon her!"
"In what, pray tell me, beautiful Azora? Was she turning the course of the rivulet?"