The seductive creature piqued by this slight said to him in a
melodious voice:
"That book must be very interesting since it seems to be the sole
object worthy of your attention. Would it be taking a liberty to ask
what science it treats of?"
The philosopher kept his eyes lowered as he replied:
"The subject of this book is beyond the comprehension of ladies."
This rebuff excited more than ever the curiosity of the young Arabian
woman. She put out the prettiest little foot that had ever left its
fleeting imprint on the shifting sands of the desert. The philosopher
was perturbed, and his eyes were too powerfully tempted to resist
wandering from these feet, which betokened so much, up to the bosom,
which was still more ravishingly fair; and soon the flame of his
admiring glance was mingled with the fire that sparkled in the pupils
of the young Asiatic. She asked again the name of the book in tones so
sweet that the philosopher yielded to the fascination, and replied:
"I am the author of the book; but the substance of it is not mine: it
contains an account of all the ruses and stratagems of women."
"What! Absolutely all?" said the daughter of the desert.
"Yes, all! And it has been only by a constant study of womankind that
I have come to regard them without fear."
"Ah!" said the young Arabian girl, lowering the long lashes of her
white eyelids.
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