We gladly accepted his offer , and to the cave we all went , taking with us the last little pig , which he gave us as a present . ' `` The Bassa of the Sea , '' he added , `` will pay you anything you like to ask for it . '' ` Without asking why it was so precious I took the pig and placed it in my work bag , where it has been ever since . Only yesterday we offered it to the Bassa , who laughed at us , and this so enraged us against the dervish that we cut off his beard when he was asleep , and now he dare not show himself . ' ` Ah , ' exclaimed the page , ` it is not fitting that such beauty should waste itself in making other people miserable . 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 XXXXX slaves , clapping his hands and shouting with joy . '
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