of sunlight on the magnificent mosaic floor beneath. On the walls
were rich tapestries storied with voluptuous scenes of love as
well as ghastly glimpses of warfare, ... and languishing beauties
reposing in the arms of their lovers, or listening to the songs of
passion, were depicted side by side with warriors dead on the
field of battle, or struggling hand to hand in grim and bleeding
conflict. The corners of this wonderful apartment were decked with
all sorts of flags and weapons, and in the middle of the painted
ceiling was suspended a huge bird with the spread wings of an
eagle and the head of an owl, that held in its curved talons a
superb girandole formed of a hundred extended swords, each bare
blade having at its point a bright lamp in the shape of a star,
while the clustered hilts composed the centre.

Officers in full uniform were ranged on both sides of the room,
and a number of other men richly attired stood about, conversing
with each other in low tones, ... but though Theos took in all
these details rapidly at a glance, his gaze soon became fixed on
the glittering Pavilion that occupied the furthest end of the
saloon, where on a massive throne of ivory and silver sat the
chief object of attraction, ... Zephoranim the King. The steps of
the royal dais were strewn ankle-deep with flowers, ... . on
either hand a bronze lion lay couchant, ... . and four gigantic
black statues of men supported the monarch's gold-fringed canopy,
their uplifted arms being decked with innumerable rows of large
and small pearls. The King's features were not just then visible--
he was leaning back in an indolent attitude, resting on his elbow,
and half covering his face with one hand. The individual in the
silver coat-of-mail whispered something in Sah-luma's ear either
by way of warning or advice, and then advanced, prostrating