cean!'

'My heart, we live in a paradise, and are seldom disturbed, thanks to
Honain!'

'But the very consciousness that there are any other persons existing
besides ourselves is to me painful. Every one who even thinks of you
seems to rob me of a part of your being. Besides, I am weary of pomp and
palaces. I should like to live in a sparry grot, and sleep upon a couch
of sweet leaves!'

This interesting discussion was disturbed by a dwarf, who, in addition
to being very small and very ugly, was dumb. He bowed before the
Princess; and then had recourse to a great deal of pantomimic action, by
which she discovered that it was dinnertime. No other person could
have ventured to disturb the royal pair, but this little being was a
privileged favourite.

So Alroy and Schirene entered the serail. An immense cresset-lamp, fed
with perfumed oil, threw a soft light round the sumptuous chamber. At
the end stood a row of eunuchs in scarlet dresses, and each holding a
tall silver staff. The Caliph and the Sultana threw themselves upon
a couch covered with a hundred cushions; on one side stood a group
consisting of the captain of the guard and other officers of the
household, on the other, of beautiful female slaves magnificently
attired.

The line of domestics at the end of the apartment opened, and a body of
slaves advanced, carrying trays of ivory and gold, and ebony and silver,
covered with the choicest dainties, curiously prepared. These were
in turn offered to the Caliph and the Sultana by their surrounding
attendants. The Princess accepted a spoon made of a single pearl,
the long, thin golden handle of which was studded with rubies, and
condescended to partake of some saffron soup, of which she was fond.
Afterwards she regaled herself with the breast of a cygnet, stuffed
with almonds, and stewed with violets and cream. Having now a little
satisfied her appetite, and wishing to show a mark of her favour to a
particular individual, she ordered the captain of the guard instantly
to send him the whole of the next course[74] with her compliments. Her
attention was then engaged with a dish of those delicate ortolans that
feed upon the vine-leaves of Schiraz, and with which the Governor of
Nishapur took especial care that she should be well provided. Tearing
the delicate birds to pieces with her still more delicate fingers, she
insisted upon feeding Alroy, who of course yielded to her solicitations.
In the meantime, they refre