A cornice of carved stonework covered with thin plates of gold ran round the walls, and from this dropped hangings of the most delicately embroidered stuffs.

The roof was of carved cedar, the floor a mosaic of stone of different colors, so delicately fitted together that they seemed one.
At the farther end of the hall, upon a raised dais, was a throne.
Upon this the young king was sitting, while a number of his counselors and nobles, together with several princesses and ladies of the court, were gathered around him.
When Roger approached, he bowed low, saluting in Mexican fashion.
The king rose as he approached, looking with lively curiosity and interest at the strange visitor, of whom he had already received so many reports.
Roger, on his part, regarded the king with no less interest.

He saw before him a young man of three or four and twenty, with a bright intelligent face.

His figure showed signs of considerable strength as well as activity, and there was a certain martial air in his carriage that spoke of the soldier rather than of the king.

The nobles had endeavored to impress upon Roger the necessity for him to salute the king, by prostrating himself on the ground as they themselves did.