Ranged round this fountain, in a circle, were twenty saddled steeds
of the highest race, each held by a groom, and each attended by a
man-at-arms. All pressed their hands to their hearts as the Emir
entered, but with a gravity of countenance which was never for a
moment disturbed. Whether their presence were habitual, or only for
the occasion, it was unquestionably impressive. Here the travellers
dismounted, and Fakredeen ushered Tancred through a variety of saloons,
of which the furniture, though simple, as becomes the East, was
luxurious, and, of its kind, superb; floors of mosaic marbles, bright
carpets, arabesque ceilings, walls of carved cedar, and broad divans of
the richest stuffs of Damascus.
'And this divan is for you,' said Fakredeen, showing Tancred into a
chamber, which opened upon a flower-garden shaded by lemon trees. 'I
am proud of my mirror,' he added, with some exultation, as he called
Tancred's attention to a large French looking-glass, the only one in
Lebanon. 'And this,' added Fakredeen, leading Tancred through a suite of
marble chambers, 'this is your bath.'
In the centre of one chamber, fed by a perpetual fountain, was a large
alabaster basin, the edges of which were strewn with flowers just
culled.
Pages:
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498