On this dais there was now a couch and on the couch--a goddess! There she sat, straight and still, clothed in shining white and veiled, but with her draperies so arranged that they emphasised rather than concealed the wonderful elegance of her tall form.

From beneath the veil, which was such as a bride wears, appeared two plaits of glossy, raven hair of great length, to the end of each of which was suspended a single large pearl.

On either side of her stood a tall woman like to her who had led us through the curtains, and on his knees in front, but to the right, knelt Billali.
About this seated personage there was an air of singular majesty, such as might pervade a queen as fancy paints her, though she had a nobler figure than any queen I ever saw depicted.

Mystery seemed to flow from her; it clothed her like the veil she wore, which of course heightened the effect.

Beauty flowed from her also; although it was shrouded I knew that it was there, no veil or coverings could obscure it--at least, to my imagination.