Here Masouda said that she would see them again on the following morning, and departed in company with the officer.
Wulf looked round the great vaulted chamber, which, now that the dark had fallen, was lit by flickering lamps set in iron brackets upon the wall, and said: "Well, for my part, I had rather pass the night in a desert among the lions than in this dismal place." Scarcely were the words out of his lips when curtains swung aside and beautiful women entered, clad in gauzy veils and bearing dishes of food.

These they placed upon the ground before them, inviting them to eat with nods and smiles, while others brought basins of scented water, which they poured over their hands.

Then they sat down and ate the food that was strange to them, but very pleasant to the taste; and while they ate, women whom they could not see sang sweet songs, and played upon harps and lutes.

Wine was offered to them also; but of this, remembering Masouda's words, they would not drink, asking by signs for water, which was brought after a little pause.
When their meal was done, the beautiful women bore away the dishes, and black slaves appeared.

These men led them to baths such as they had never seen, where they washed first in hot water, then in cold.