Above those pillars ran a gallery with many windows looking out over the ruined city.

While at the further end of the chamber stood three broad steps leading to a dais.

As I entered, the whole place was full of bustling girls, their yellow garments like a bed of flowers in the sunlight trickling through the casements, and all intent on the spreading of a feast on long tables ranged up and down the hall.

The morning light streamed in on the white cloths.

It glittered on the glass and the gold they were putting on the trestles, and gave resplendent depths of colour to the ribbon bands round the pillars.