The place was full of women, who, instead of exhibiting the surprise we expected, accosted us as cordially as if we had called to take our Souchong with them by express invitation.

In the first place, nothing would do but we must each devour a calabash of "poee," and several roasted bananas.

Pipes were then lighted, and a brisk conversation ensued.
These ladies of the court, if not very polished, were surprisingly free and easy in their manners; quite as much so as King Charles's beauties.

There was one of them--an arch little miss, who could converse with us pretty fluently--to whom we strove to make ourselves particularly agreeable, with the view of engaging her services as cicerone.
As such, she turned out to be everything we could desire.

No one disputing her will, every place was entered without ceremony, curtains brushed aside, mats lifted, and each nook and corner explored.