Montesquieu (1689–1755). Persian Letters. 1901.
Letter CXLVIIThe Chief Eunuch to Usbek, at Paris
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Some days ago Zelis, on her way to the mosque, let her veil fall, and appeared before the people with her face almost wholly uncovered.
I found Zachi in bed with one of her maids, a thing absolutely forbidden by the laws of seraglio.
I intercepted, by the merest chance in the world, a letter which I send you: I have never been able to discover to whom it was sent.
Yesterday evening a young fellow was observed in the garden of the seraglio; he made his escape over the wall.
Add to this all that has not come to my knowledge; for you are certainly betrayed. I await your orders; and until the happy moment of their receipt, I shall be in a state of intolerable anxiety. But, if you do not leave all these women to my discretion, I will not be responsible for one of them, and will have news as heartrending to send you every day.
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