Then we entered the bed-chambers, where we found servants, or slaves, quiet-mannered, obsequious men.

These valets changed our foot-gear, and taking off our heavy travelling robes, replaced them with others fashioned like civilized frock-coats, but made of some white material and trimmed with a beautiful ermine fur.
Having dressed us in these they bowed to show that our toilette was finished, and led us to the large outer room where the officer awaited us.

He conducted us through several other rooms, all of them spacious and apparently unoccupied, to a great hall lit with many lamps and warmed--for the nights were still cold--with large peat fires.

The roof of this hall was flat and supported by thick, stone columns with carved capitals, and its walls were hung with worked tapestries, that gave it an air of considerable comfort.
At the head of the hall on a dais stood a long, narrow table, spread with a cloth and set with platters and cups of silver.

Here we waited till butlers with wands appeared through some curtains which they drew.
Then came a man beating a silver gong, and after him a dozen or more courtiers, all dressed in white robes like ourselves, followed by perhaps as many ladies, some of them young and good-looking, and for the most part of a fair type, with well-cut features, though others were rather yellow-skinned.