Our happiness was complete , and time flew unknown to us , when one of the Circassians leaned forward and said to her sister , ` Their brother danced , and they must dance too . ' What they meant by these words I know not , but perhaps you can tell us ? '' ' `` I understand quite well , '' I replied . `` They were thinking of the day that I stole the son of the Bassa , and had danced before him . '' ' `` Perhaps you are right , '' continued Izouf , `` for the two ladies took our hands and danced with us till we were quite exhausted , and when at last we sat down a second time to table we drank more wine than was good for us . Indeed , our heads grew so confused , that when the men jumped up and threatened to kill us , we could make no resistance and suffered ourselves to be robbed of everything we had about us , including the most precious possession of all , the two talismans of the daughters of Siroco . '' ` Not knowing what else to do , we all three returned to Constantinople to ask the advice of Sumi , and found that she was already aware of our misfortunes , having read about them in the book of Moïzes . The kind-hearted creature wept bitterly at our story , but , being poor herself , could give us little help . At last I proposed that every morning we should sell the silver watch into which Argentine was changed , as it would return to Sumi every evening unless it was wound up with the silver key -- which was not at all likely . Sumi consented , but only on the condition that we would never sell the watch without ascertaining the house where it was to be found , so that she might also take Aurora thither , and thus Argentine would not be alone if by any chance she was wound up at the mystic hour . For some weeks now we have lived by this means , and the two daughters of Siroco have never failed to return to Sumi each night . Yesterday Izouf sold the silver watch to this young man , and in the evening placed the gold watch on the steps by order of Sumi , just before his customer entered the house ; from which both watches came back early this morning . ' ` If I had only known ! ' cried Neangir . ` If I had had more presence of mind , I should have seen the lovely Argentine , and if her portrait is so fair , what must the original be ! ' ` It was not your fault , ' replied the Cadi , ` you are no magician ; and who could guess that the watch must be wound at such an hour ? But I shall give orders that the merchant is to hand it over to you , and this evening you will certainly not forget . ' ` It is impossible to let you have it to-day , ' answered Izouf , ` for it is already sold . ' ` If that is so , ' said the Cadi , ` you must return the three gold pieces which the young man paid . ' The Jew , delighted to get off so easily , put his hand in his pocket , when Neangir stopped him .
` No , no , ' he exclaimed , ` it is not money I want , but the adorable Argentine ; XXXXX her everything is valueless . '
If before by for in of on till with without