Harold to settle their feud by a mutual disinheritance, I slipped
from the room and escaped into the open air, eager to pick up the
loose end of my new friendship just where I had dropped it that
morning. In the glorious reaction of the sunshine after the
downpour, with its moist warm smells, bespanglement of greenery,
and inspiriting touch of rain-washed air, the parks and palaces
of the imagination glowed with a livelier iris, and their blurred
beauties shone out again with fresh blush and palpitation. As I
sped along to the tryst, again I accompanied my new comrade along
the corridors of my pet palace into which I had so hastily
introduced her; and on reflection I began to see that it wouldn't
work properly. I had made a mistake, and those were not the
surroundings in which she was most fitted to shine. However, it
really did not matter much; I had other palaces to place at her
disposal--plenty of 'em; and on a further acquaintance with and
knowledge of her tastes, no doubt I could find something to suit
her.

There was a real Arabian one, for instance, which I visited but
rarely--only just when I was in the fine Oriental mood for it; a
wonder of silk hangings, fountains of rosewater, pavilions, and
minarets. Hundreds of silent, well-trained slaves thronged the
stairs and alleys of this establishment, ready to fetch and carry
for her all day, if she wished it; and my brave soldiers would be
spared the indignity. Also there were processions through the
bazaar at odd moments--processions with camels, elephants, and
palanquins. Yes, she was more suited for the East, this
imperious young person; and I determined that thither she should
be personally conducted as soon as ever might be.