As he walked up the room he suddenly realised this fact, and, for a moment, he thought he had made a mistake; but again he remembered distinctly that the letter said half-past eight, and he wondered now if this had been arranged by the Prince--for what purpose?
To afford amusement to the assembled company?
He drew himself up with dignity, his face became graver.

He had come in a Quaker suit of black broadcloth, with grey steel buttons, and a plain white stock; and he wore his broad-brimmed hat--to the consternation of the British Consul-General and the Europeans present, to the amazement of the Turkish and native officials, who eyed him keenly.

They themselves wore red tarbooshes, as did the Prince; yet all of them knew that the European custom of showing respect was by doffing the hat.

The Prince Pasha had settled that with David, however, at their first meeting, when David had kept on his hat and offered Kaid his hand.
Now, with amusement in his eyes, Prince Kaid watched David coming up the great hall.

What his object was in summoning David for an hour when all the court and all the official Europeans should be already present, remained to be seen.