ees, whose branches overspread a building of
hewn stone. This edifice was crowned with nine domes, and adorned with
as many portals of bronze, on which was engraven the following
inscription: "This is the asylum of pilgrims, the refuge of travellers,
and the depository of secrets for all parts of the world."

Nine pages, beautiful as the day, and clothed in robes of Egyptian linen,
very long and very modest, were standing at each door. They received the
whole retinue with an easy and inviting air. Four of the most amiable
placed the Caliph on a magnificent taktrevan, four others, somewhat less
graceful, took charge of Bababalouk, who capered for joy at the snug
little cabin that fell to his share; the pages that remained waited on
the rest of the train.

When everything masculine was gone out of sight the gate of a large
enclosure on the right turned on its harmonious hinges and a young female
of a slender form came forth; her light brown hair floated in the hazy
breeze of the twilight; a troop of young maidens, like the Pleiades,
attended her on tip-toe. They hastened to the pavilions that contained
the sultanas, and the young lady, gracefully bending, said to them:

"Charming Princesses, everything is ready; we have prepared beds for your
repose, and strewed your apartments with jasmine; no insects will keep
off slumber from visiting your eyelids, we will dispel them with a
thousand plumes; come then, amiable ladies! refresh your delicate feet
and your ivory limbs in baths of rose water; and, by the light of
perfumed lamps your servants will amuse you with tales."

The sultanas accepted with pleasure these obliging offers, and followed
the young lady to the Emir's harem, where we must for a moment leave
them, and return to the Caliph.

Vathek found himself beneath a vast dome, illuminated by a thousand lamps
of rock crystal; as many vases of the same material, filled with
excellent sherbet, sparkled on a large table, where a profusion of viands
were spread; amongst others were sweetbreads stewed in milk of almonds,
saffron soups, and lamb _a la creme_, of all which the Caliph was
amazingly fond. He took of each as much as he was able, testified his
sense of the Emir's friendship by the gaiety of his heart, and made the
dwarfs dance against their will, for these little devotees durst not
refuse the Commander of the Faithful; at last he spread himself on the
sofa, and slept sounder than he had ever before.

B