In front of this palace, facing to the north, is a great portico, whereof the roof is borne upon palm-headed, painted columns whence may be seen the most lovely prospect in Egypt.

First the gardens, then the palm-groves, then the cultivated land, then the broad and gentle Nile and, far away, the desert.
Here, then, we dwelt, keeping small state and almost unguarded, but in wealth and comfort, spending our time in the library of the palace, or in those of the temples, and when we wearied of work, in the lovely gardens or, perchance, sailing upon the bosom of the Nile.

The lady Merapi dwelt there also, but in a separate wing of the palace, with certain slaves and servants whom Seti had given to her.

Sometimes we met her in the gardens, where it pleased her to walk at the same hours that we did, namely before the sun grew hot, or in the cool of the evening, and now and again when the moon shone at night.

Then the three of us would talk together, for Seti never sought her company alone or within walls.
Those talks were very pleasant.