-hall, a large tent, or _kibitka_, of a dome-like
shape. The treasurer, lifting up a fold of thick cloth, motioned
to me to enter, and on doing so I found myself face to face with
the celebrated Khan, who was reclining against some pillows or
cushions, and seated on a handsome Persian rug, warming his feet by
a circular hearth filled with burning charcoal. He raised his hand
to his forehead as I stood before him, a salute which I returned
by touching my cap. He then made a sign for me to sit down by his
side.

Before I relate our conversation, it may not be uninteresting if
I describe the sovereign. He is taller than the average of his
subjects, being quite five feet ten in height, and is strongly built:
his face is of a broad, massive type, he has a low, square forehead,
large dark eyes, a short straight nose with dilated nostrils, and
a coal-black beard and mustache; while an enormous mouth, with
irregular but white teeth, and a chin somewhat concealed by his
beard, and not at all in character with the otherwise determined
appearance of his face, must complete the picture.

He did not look more than eight-and-twenty, and has a pleasant,
genial smile, and a merry twinkle in his eye, very unusual among
Orientals; in fact, to me an expression in Spanish would better
describe his face than any English one I can think of. It is very
_simpatica_, and I must say I was greatly surprised, after all
that has been written in Russian newspapers about the cruelties
and other iniquities perpetrated by this Khivan potentate, to find
the original such a cheery sort of fellow.

His countenance was of a very different type from his treasurer's.
The hang-dog expression of the latter made me bilious to look at
him, and it was said that he carried to great lengths these peculiar
vices and depraved habits to which Orientals are so often addicted.
The Khan was dressed in a similar sort of costume to that generally
worn by his subjects, but it was made of much richer materials,
and a jewelled sword was lying by his seat. His head was covered
by a tall black Astrakhan hat, of a sugar-loaf shape; and on my
seeing that all the officials who were in the room at the same
time as myself kept on their fur hats, I did the same.

The sovereign, turning to an attendant, gave an order in a low
tone, when tea was instantly brought, and handed to me in a small
porcelain tea-cup. A conversation with the Khan was now commenced,
and carried on through