.

Tom's first royal dinner.
Somewhat after one in the afternoon, Tom resignedly underwent the ordeal of being dressed for dinner.

He found himself as finely clothed as before, but everything different, everything changed, from his ruff to his stockings.

He was presently conducted with much state to a spacious and ornate apartment, where a table was already set for one.

Its furniture was all of massy gold, and beautified with designs which well-nigh made it priceless, since they were the work of Benvenuto.