Forget the unhappy past and think only of the future . And accept , I pray you , this watch , to mark the brighter hours in store . ' So saying he laid the watch upon her knee . Then he turned to Tezila . ` And you , fair maiden , permit me to offer you this other watch . True it is only of silver , but it is all I have left to give . And I feel quite sure that you must have somewhere a silver seal , that will be exactly the thing to go with it . ' ` Why , so you have , ' cried Dely ; ` fasten your silver seal to your watch , and I will hang my gold one on to mine . ' The seals were produced , and , as Azemi had guessed , they were the talismans which the two Circassians had taken from Izif and Izouf , mounted in gold and silver . As quick as lightning the watches slid from the hands of Tezila and her sister , and Aurora and Argentine stood before them , each with her talisman on her finger . At first they seemed rather confused themselves at the change which had taken place , and the sunlight which they had not seen for so long , but when gradually they understood that their enchantment had come to an end , they could find no words to express their happiness . The Circassians could with difficulty be comforted for the loss of the talismans , but Aurora and Argentine entreated them to dry their tears , as their father , Siroco , who was governor of Alexandria , would not fail to reward them in any manner they wished . This promise was soon confirmed by Siroco himself , who came into the garden with the Bassa and his two sons , and was speedily joined by the ladies of the family . Only Hassan was absent . It was the hour in which he was condemned to bewail his ebony hand . To the surprise of all a noise was at this moment heard in a corner of the terrace , and Hassan himself appeared surrounded by slaves , clapping his hands and shouting with joy . ' I was weeping as usual , ' cried he , ` when all at once the tears refused to come to my eyes , and on looking down at my hand I saw that its blackness had vanished . And now , lovely Zelida , nothing prevents me any longer from offering you the hand , when the heart has been yours always . ' But though Hassan never thought of asking or caring what had caused his cure , the others were by no means so indifferent . It was quite clear that the little black pig must be dead -- but how , and when ?
To this the slaves answered XXXXX they had seen that morning a man pursued by three others , and that he had taken refuge in the cavern which they had been left to guard .
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