and glancing where her finger pointed I recognised the writing of Sumi . -LSB- Illustration : ZELIDA DISCOVERS THE WRITING ON THE FLASK -RSB- ` By this time my two brothers had already got possession of the rings of Aurora and Argentine in exchange for some merchandise which they coveted , and no sooner had the magic circles left their hands than the two sisters vanished completely , and in their place nothing was to be seen but a watch of gold and one of silver . At this instant the old slave whom we had bribed to let us enter the house , rushed into the room announcing the return of Zelida 's father . My brothers , trembling with fright , hid the watches in their turbans , and while the slave was attending to Zelida , who had sunk fainting to the ground , we managed to make our escape . ` Fearing to be traced by the enraged Siroco , we did not dare to go back to the house where we lodged , but took refuge with Sumi . ' `` Unhappy wretches ! '' cried she , `` is it thus that you have followed the counsels of your father ? This very morning I consulted my magic books , and saw you in the act of abandoning your hearts to the fatal passion which will one day be your ruin . No , do not think I will tamely bear this insult ! It was I who wrote the letter which stopped Zelida in the act of drinking the elixir of love ! As for you , '' she went on , turning to my brothers , `` you do not yet know what those two watches will cost you ! But you can learn it now , and the knowledge of the truth will only serve to render your lives still more miserable . '' ` As she spoke she held out the sacred book written by Moïzes , and pointed to the following lines : ' `` If at midnight the watches are wound with the key of gold and the key of silver , they will resume their proper shapes during the first hour of the day . They will always remain under the care of a woman , and will come back to her wherever they may be . And the woman appointed to guard them is the daughter of Moïzes . '' ` My brothers were full of rage when they saw themselves outwitted , but there was no help for it . The watches were delivered up to Sumi and they went their way , while I remained behind curious to see what would happen . ` As night wore on Sumi wound up both watches , and when midnight struck Aurora and her sister made their appearance . They knew nothing of what had occurred and supposed they had just awakened from sleep , but when Sumi 's story made them understand their terrible fate , they both sobbed with despair and were only consoled when Sumi promised never to forsake them . Then one o'clock sounded , and they became watches again .
` All night long I was a prey to vague fears , and I felt as if something unseen was pushing me on -- in what direction I did not XXXXX .
consulted cost delivered drinking got hid know remain remained seen