little Time of his Royal Favours, and be duely qualified to receive him, when he should honour me so far as to fix the Day. I told him, I would die first: He replied, with a Sneer, that young Ladies, like me, seldom kill'd themselves, and that they were made for Enjoyment; and then turn'd upon his Heel, with as careless an Air, as a Man would part with his Paroquet, when he had shut her up close in her gilded Cage. What a shocking State was I in for the first Queen of the Universe! Nay, I'll say more, for a Heart that was wholly devoted to her _Zadig_! At these endearing Words, _Zadig_ threw himself at her Feet, and bath'd them with his Tears. _Astarte_ immediately rais'd him in the most courteous and engaging Manner, and thus continu'd her Narration.--I too plainly perceiv'd, that I was subject to the Tyranny of a _Barbarian_, and the Rival of a Coquet, that was a Slave like myself. She related to me all her past Adventures in _Egypt_. From the Description she gave of her Gallant, the Time and Place, the Dromedary he was mounted on, and from every other minute Circumstance, I imagin'd it was your self that play'd the Hero in her Favour. As I made no Doubt but that you resided somewhere in _Memphis_, I determin'd to go thither my self, but in Disguise. Beauteous _Missouf_, said I, you are of a much sprightlier Disposition than I am; you will be able to amuse the gay young Prince of _Hyrcania_ a thousand Times better than I shall. Find out some Way therefore for my Escape; by which you will be sole Lady Regent. You will oblige me to the last Degree, by your friendly Assistance, and at the same Time get rid of a Rival. _Missouf_, (cajol'd with the Hint) came into my Measures directly. She took care to send me packing forthwith, with no other Attendant than an old _Egyptian_ Slave.