Oh, I trust he is not offended with me! How could he have got in without my seeing him ?' My frightened companion scratched at the door, which was opened instantly by Roustem the Mameluke, who guarded it within.

The room into which we passed was of considerable size, but was furnished with extreme simplicity.

It was papered of a silver-grey colour, with a sky-blue ceiling, in the centre of which was the Imperial eagle in gold, holding a thunderbolt.

In spite of the warm weather, a large fire was burning at one side, and the air was heavy with heat and the aromatic smell of aloes.

In the middle of the room was a large oval table covered with green cloth and littered with a number of letters and papers.