long, while I accompanied and assisted him.

I now found myself in a large grotto with an arched roof, from which
was suspended an enormous lamp, either golden or gilded. All around
were numerous lamps. The walls were adorned with rich hangings;
couches were here, with soft cushions, and divans and ottomans; soft
mats were on the floor, and everything gave indications of luxury and
wealth. Other doors, covered with overhanging mats, seemed to lead out
of this grotto. To one of these the chief walked, and raising the mat
he led the way into another grotto like the last, with the same bright
lights and the same adornments, but of smaller size. Here I saw
someone who at once took up all my attention.

It was a young maiden. Her face and form, but especially her eyes,
showed her to be of quite a different race from these others. To me
she was of medium height, yet she was taller than any of the people
here that I had hitherto seen. Her complexion was much lighter; her
hair was dark, luxuriant, and wavy, and arranged in a coiffure secured
with a golden band. Her features were of a different cast from those
of the people here, for they were regular in outline and of exquisite
beauty; her nose was straight; she had a short upper lip, arched
eyebrows finely pencilled, thin lips, and well-rounded chin. But the
chief contrast was in her eyes. These were large, dark, liquid, with
long lashes, and with a splendid glow in their lustrous depths. She
stood looking at me with her face full of amazement; and as I caught
the gaze of her glorious eyes I rejoiced that I had at last found one
who lived in the light and loved it--one who did not blink like a bat,
but looked me full in the face, and allowed me to see all her soul
revealed. The chief, who still was pained by the glare of light, kept
his eyes covered, and said a few hasty words to the maiden. After this
he hurried away, leaving me there.

The maiden stood for a moment looking at me. As the chief spoke to
her a change came over her face. She looked at me in silence, with
an expression of sad and mournful interest, which seemed to increase
every moment. At length she approached and said something in the same
strange language which the chief had used. I shook my head and replied
in English, whereupon she shook her head with a look of perplexity.
Then, anxious to conciliate her, I held out my hand. She looked at
it in some surprise. Upon this I took her hand, and pressed it to my