At that moment I noticed that she was very tall.
She led me through a long corridor to a room where two pillars held lamps in the shape of torches.

The place was dark but for their glow, and it was as warm as a hothouse from invisible stoves.

I felt soft carpets underfoot, and on the walls hung some tapestry or rug of an amazingly intricate geometrical pattern, but with every strand as rich as jewels.

There, between the pillars, she turned and faced me.

Her furs were thrown back, and the black mantilla had slipped down to her shoulders.
'I have heard of you,' she said.