The birds, whose duties lay outside, were by this time asleep on their perches, and we forbore to disturb them.

The central chamber of the seraglio, if I may so call it, the largest and midmost of those in the rear of the garden, devoted as of course to the ladies of the household, was especially magnificent.
When we stood in its midst, shy looks askance from all the six betrayed their secret ambition; though Eive's was but momentary, and so slight that I felt I might have unfairly suspected her of presumption.

I left this room, however, in silence, and assigned to each, of my maiden brides, in order as they had been presented to me, the rooms on the left; and then, as we stood once more in the peristyle, having postponed all further arrangements, all distribution of household duties, to the morrow (assigning, however, to Eunane, whose native energy and forwardness had made early acquaintance with the dwelling and its dumb inhabitants, the charge of providing and preparing with their assistance our morning meal), I said, "I have let the business of the evening zyda actually encroach on midnight, and must detain you from your rest no longer.

Eveena, you know, I still have need of you." She was standing at a little distance, next to Eunane; and the latter, with a smile half malicious, half triumphant, whispered something in her ear.

There was a suppressed annoyance in Eveena's look which provoked me to interpose.