With these words, the enchanter drew his long robe round him, and
disappeared amidst the foliage.




CHAPTER II.

THE KING WITHIN HIS PALACE.

In one of those apartments, the luxury of which is known only to the
inhabitants of a genial climate (half chamber and half grotto), reclined
a young Moor, in a thoughtful and musing attitude.

The ceiling of cedar-wood, glowing with gold and azure, was supported by
slender shafts, of the whitest alabaster, between which were open
arcades, light and graceful as the arched vineyards of Italy, and wrought
in that delicate filagree-work common to the Arabian architecture:
through these arcades was seen at intervals the lapsing fall of waters,
lighted by alabaster lamps; and their tinkling music sounded with a fresh
and regular murmur upon the ear. The whole of one side of this apartment
was open to a broad and extensive balcony, which overhung the banks of
the winding and moonlit Darro; and in the clearness of the soft night
might be distinctly seen the undulating hills, the woods, and orange-
groves, which still form the unrivalled landscapes of Granada.

The pavement was spread with ottomans and couches of the richest azure,
prodigally enriched with quaint designs in broideries of gold and silver;
and over that on which the Moor reclined, facing the open balcony, were