d him from the boat, up a flight of steps, and through a
garden--for he occasionally came in contact with the outstretching
branches of shrubs, and there was moreover a delicious odor of flowers,
as he proceeded in the total darkness of his blindfolding. At the
expiration of ten minutes the guide stopped; and Alessandro heard a key
turn in a lock.

"Enter there," said the slave, pushing him gently forward, and speaking
in a low tone. "Take off the cap--attire yourself in the raiment you
will find ready provided, and then pass fearlessly through the door at
the further end of the room. You will meet me again in the hall which
you will thus reach."

And, without waiting for a reply, the slave closed and locked the door
through which Alessandro had just passed. Hastily did he remove the cap,
which had indeed almost suffocated him; and he now found himself in a
small apartment, elegantly furnished in the most luxurious Oriental
fashion, and brilliantly lighted. A table spread with confectionery,
cakes, fruits, and even wines--though the fermented juice of the grape
be expressly forbidden by the laws of the Prophet Mohammed--occupied the
center of the room. Around the walls were continuous sofas, or ottomans,
so conducive to the enjoyment of a voluptuous indolence; the floor was
spread with a carpet so thick that the feet sunk into the silky texture,
as into newly fallen snow; and whichever way he turned Alessandro beheld
his form reflected in vast mirrors set in magnificent frames. There were
no windows on any side of this apartment; but there was a cupola fitted
with stained glass on the roof, and Alessandro judged that he was in one
of those voluptuous kiosks usually found in the gardens of wealthy
Turks.

Precisely as the slave had informed him, he found an elegant suit of
Moslem garments set out on the sofa for his use; and he hastened to
exchange his Italian costume for the Oriental raiment. As he thus
attired himself, it was necessary to contemplate himself in the mirror
facing him, so as properly to adjust clothes to which he was totally
unaccustomed; and it struck him that the garb of the infidel became him
better than that of the Christian. He did not, however, waste time in
the details of this strange toilet; but as soon as it was completed he
opened the door at the further end of the room, in pursuance of the
instructions he had received. Alessandro found himself in a large marble
hall, from which several flig