n all parts by the followers of the embassy, nearly three
hundred in number, and by the high guests themselves, to whom every
possible attention was paid. The courts of the palace swarmed with
guards and officials, with young priests and slaves, all in splendid
festal raiment.

On this day it was the king's intention to make an especial display of
the wealth and splendor of his court, at a festival arranged in honor of
his daughter's betrothal.

The lofty reception-hall opening on to the gardens, with its ceiling
sown with thousands of golden stars and supported by gaily-painted
columns, presented a magic appearance. Lamps of colored papyrus hung
against the walls and threw a strange light on the scene, something like
that when the sun's rays strike through colored glass. The space
between the columns and the walls was filled with choice plants, palms,
oleanders, pomegranates, oranges and roses, behind which an invisible
band of harp and flute-players was stationed, who received the guests
with strains of monotonous, solemn music.

The floor of this hall was paved in black and white, and in the middle
stood elegant tables covered with dishes of all kinds, cold roast meats,
sweets, well-arranged baskets of fruit and cake, golden jugs of wine,
glass drinking-cups and artistic flower-vases.

A multitude of richly-dressed slaves under direction of the
high-steward, busied themselves in handing these dishes to the
guests, who, either standing around, or reclining on sumptuous seats,
entertained themselves in conversation with their friends.

Both sexes and all ages were to be found in this assembly. As the women
entered, they received charming little nosegays from the young priests
in the personal service of the king, and many a youth of high degree
appeared in the hall with flowers, which he not only offered to her he
loved best, but held up for her to smell.

The Egyptian men, who were dressed as we have already seen them at
the reception of the Persian embassy, behaved towards the women with a
politeness that might almost be termed submissive. Among the latter few
could pretend to remarkable beauty, though there were many bewitching
almond-shaped eyes, whose loveliness was heightened by having their lids
dyed with the eye-paint called "mestem." The majority wore their hair
arranged in the same manner; the wealth of waving brown locks floated
back over the shoulders and was brushed behind the ears, one braid being
l