On these were set out oranges and rare fruits of the Orient, such as the young man had never seen in his own bleak and barren land.
But the Douglas did no more than glance at the luxury of the providing.

A vision fairer and more beautiful claimed his eyes.

For even as he paused in amazement, the lady herself stood before him, transformed and, as it seemed, glorified.

In the interval she had taken off the cloak which, while on horseback, she had worn falling from her shoulders.

A thin robe of white silk broidered with gold at once clothed and revealed her graceful and gracious figure, even as a glove covers but does not conceal the hand upon which it is drawn.
Whether by intent or accident, the collar had been permitted to fall aside at the neck and showed the dazzling whiteness of the skin beneath, but at the bosom it was secured by a button set with black pearls which constituted the lady's only ornament.
Her arms also were bare, and showed in the lamplight whiter than milk.
She had removed the silver belt, and was tying a red silken scarf about her waist in a manner which revealed a swift grace and lithe sinuosity of movement, making her beauty appear yet more wonderful and more desirable to the young man's eyes.
On either side the pavilion were placed folding couches of rosy silk, and in the corner, draped with rich blue hangings, glimmered the lady's bed, its fair white linen half revealed.