Chapter XVII

 

 

“In truth,” said Mirza, “We could not desire a more amusing reconciliation—but my dear Philosopher, you played a large part in it. When two people are not in agreement, I think the best means of bringing them together is to offer them criticisms and eulogies in equal measure.”

“I believe, Madame,” Ormasis replied, “that a spirituous vehicle presented by the Graces has even more effect.”

“Yes,” replied the Physicist. “Besides, those two scientists are from the same country, where cold and fog have rendered that vehicle necessary. How, with that primitive habitat, could they not surrender their reason to the efforts of beauty?”

“Oh, I swear to you,” Nadir interjected, “that their last conversation was very reasonable.”

“My dear Nadir,” Ormasis continued, “let’s not run the men down. They have merit, and they form their opinions in good faith—why criticize them? I have only debated with them in order to prevent myself from adopting their ideas, but if, after reflection, they persist in their theories, and if that stubbornness, whether well- or ill-founded, is a sensation of pleasure for them, let’s not deprive them of it.”

“Agreed,” Nadir replied, “but my dear Ormasis, you won’t prevent us from judging between you and them. When, for example, Fixoventi assures us that it is vigorous plants that rectify bad air and render it salubrious, and when that pretended discovery excited all the scientific Companies in the world, we others shall reflect that in our climate, where plants are vigorous al the year round, one experiences much more poor air than in the northern lands, where plants only subsist for a few months—but we shall not give ourselves for that reason to an opposite theory. We will simply observe that in cold countries there is more rainfall or snowfall than in ours, more condensation, les phlogiston and fewer dangerous emanations. That, my dear Ormasis, is the consequence of your principles, and we shall adopt them for preference. Isn’t that true, Sir Physicist?”

“Certainly, Sir,” said the Physicist, and continued: “I don’t know whether Sir the Philosopher has once followed courses in chemistry and physics, but he has left all the harnesses of schooling far behind.”

“Yes,” Ormasis replied, “but I have retained the principal guides.”

Meanwhile, Nadir’s wives were walking a short way ahead and making reflections advantageous to their new guest. While the sensible Fatima was enjoying the double pleasure of praising the man she loved and hearing him praised, someone came to inform Ormasis that two slaves had just brought him a trunk.

“That’s good,” he said. “I’ll be there shortly.” Taking his host aside, he continued: “My dear Nadir, a traveler like me does not have much furniture; if you want me to use yours freely, accept the key to this trunk. Order that it be placed in your apartment. It’s yours. I need to go back to my caravanserai and make a few preparations for our nocturnal excursions. I shall return.”

Fatima, who glanced behind her from time to time, was the first to notice Ormasis’ departure. The Physicist told her that someone had just asked for him. Nadir, drawing closer to Mirza, asked her to step aside with dear Fatima, because he had something to tell them.

The opportunity became very favorable. Sophie had just caught a butterfly on a rose, the colors of which were charming. The Physicist had a magnifying-glass with him, of surprising effect. The butterfly was placed under it. Soon, a small caterpillar that was agitating on an anemone leaf offered a new subject of examination. Laure and Sophie then had the pleasure of passing other objects in review beneath the magnifying glass, for the instrument presented novelties incessantly. At the same time, the Physicist explained to them the fashion of caring for the larvae of butterflies, and what precautions it was necessary to take with regard to the chrysalises. All these matters were worthy of discussion, and a person who thinks such observations petty ought to reflect that there is nothing petty in Nature.

Mirza and Fatima took advantage of the moment and followed Nadir. He had had Ormasis’ trunk taken to his apartment. “This,” he told them, “is a present that our friend has offered me; he demands that I accept it. He has given me the key to it.”

“Give it to me,” said Mirza. “Grant me the pleasure of opening it…but no, I’d deprive you of it. If, however, Fatima wishes...”

“Very good,” Fatima replied “Come on, curious child, you’d be annoyed if I accepted. Hurry up.”

Mirza immediately opened the trunk. “There’s a lot of sand to remove,” she said. “Help me, then, Nadir. Look at these pretty transparent pebbles.”

“O Heavens!” cried Nadir, “it’s a sovereign’s present. No, Ormasis, I won’t accept it. My friends, this is at least eight hundred marks24 of gold dust. These pebbles are uncut precious stones. There are several diamonds of the greatest beauty. No, I won’t accept it.”

“Why not?” asked Fatima whose emotion was inexpressible. “My dear Nadir, the man who is making you these presents is surely capable of offering more of the same.”

“You’re right, my dear Fatima,” added Mirza, swiftly. “Accept, accept, my friend, what is offered to you. I’m overcome with joy. Oh, Nadir, can you imagine the pleasure of no longer being obliged to calculate our income?”

Nadir immediately embraced his friends. “I give in to your reasoning,” he said, “but what gratitude could ever compensate…?  Yes, I’ll accompany him in his research. I owe him that. But I’m far from desiring its success. That electric machine he wants to construct no longer piques my curiosity, no longer heats my imagination. Let him remain with us. Are all worlds not formed in equal proportions? Happiness and misfortune exist everywhere, and if he can become happy with…why expose himself to dangers?”

“What!” cried the tender Fatima. “Can he…? No, I’m tranquil. I don’t believe that such an amiable man would seek to impose on a woman who, in good faith...”

Fatima, suddenly falling silent, perceived that her secret had escaped her.

“My amiable friend,” Mirza said to her, immediately, “don’t be sorry; Nadir and I had guessed it this morning. We have also divined our respectable friend. Imagine how delighted we shall be to secure him with your chains. I don’t know why I experience so much pleasure in thinking about that union. Listen to me: you surely have empire over his heart. Dissuade him from continuing his research. Make him cease his journeys into the entrails of the Earth. Besides, I don’t want Nadir to accompany him. Oh, my dear Nadir, what if you suffered some mishap? I shiver at the thought.”

“Mirza, my dear Mirza,” Nadir replied, “reflect for a moment on the duties of friendship and advise me. At any rate, calm your fears; you can believe that our philosopher would not expose us to any dangers. I confess to you that I’m curious to see the works of Nature in the bosom of our globe. How much pleasure I shall have in telling you what I have seen!”

“Yes, Fatima put in, “but ought not Mirza to be apprehensive, as I am, about the consequences of that curiosity? All in all, if Ormasis plans to stay here, I can’t see the reason for all this research. I’m determined to obtain some clarification.”

Mirza supported Fatima in this resolution, and they went with Nadir to rejoin their companions.