I had considered with some care how I was, on so critical an occasion, to conduct myself, and had resolved that the most politic course would probably be an assumption of courteous but absolute independence; to treat the Autocrat of this planet much as an English envoy would treat an Indian Prince.

It was in accordance with this intention that I had assumed a dress somewhat more elaborate than is usually worn here, a white suit of a substance resembling velvet in texture, and moire in lustre, with collar and belt of silver.

On my breast I wore my order of [illegible], and in my belt my one cherished Terrestrial possession--the sword, reputed the best in Asia, that had twice driven its point home within a finger's breadth of my life; and that clove the turban on my brow but a minute before it was surrendered--just in time to save its gallant owner and his score of surviving comrades.

In its hilt I had set the emerald with which alone the Commander of the Faithful rewarded my services.
The turban is not so unlike the masculine head-dress of Mars as to attract any special attention.

Re-entering the hall, I was conducted along a gallery and through another crystal door into the immediate presence of the Autocrat.