This had been given me by the fair Sumi , who had used it herself and was full of wrath because I refused to drink it likewise , and so return her passion . I showed this liquid to the three maidens who were engaged in examining the precious stones , and choosing those that pleased them best ; and I was in the act of pouring some in a crystal cup , when Zelida 's eyes fell on a paper wrapped round the flask containing these words : `` Beware lest you drink this water with any other man than him who will one day be your husband . '' `` Ah , traitor ! '' she exclaimed , `` what snare have you laid for me ? '' and glancing where her finger pointed I recognised the writing of Sumi . -LSB- Illustration : ZELIDA DISCOVERS THE WRITING ON THE FLASK -RSB- ` By this time my two brothers had already got possession of the rings of Aurora and Argentine in exchange for some merchandise which they coveted , and no sooner had the magic circles left their hands than the two sisters vanished completely , and in their place nothing was to be seen but a watch of gold and one of silver . At this instant the old slave whom we had bribed to let us enter the house , rushed into the room announcing the return of Zelida 's father . My brothers , trembling with fright , hid the watches in their turbans , and while the slave was attending to Zelida , who had sunk fainting to the ground , we managed to make our escape . ` Fearing to be traced by the enraged Siroco , we did not dare to go back to the house where we lodged , but took refuge with Sumi . ' `` Unhappy wretches ! '' cried she , `` is it thus that you have followed the counsels of your father ? This very morning I consulted my magic books , and saw you in the act of abandoning your hearts to the fatal passion which will one day be your ruin . No , do not think I will tamely bear this insult ! It was I who wrote the letter which stopped Zelida in the act of drinking the elixir of love ! As for you , '' she went on , turning to my brothers , `` you do not yet know what those two watches will cost you ! But you can learn it now , and the knowledge of the truth will only serve to render your lives still more miserable . '' ` As she spoke she held out the sacred book written by Moïzes , and pointed to the following lines : ' `` If at midnight the watches are wound with the key of gold and the key of silver , they will resume their proper shapes during the first hour of the day . They will always remain under the care of a woman , and will come back to her wherever they may be . And the woman appointed to guard them is the daughter of Moïzes . '' ` My brothers were full of rage when they saw themselves outwitted , but there was no help for it .
The watches were delivered up XXXXX Sumi and they went their way , while I remained behind curious to see what would happen .
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