ves in a place which, though roofed with a vaulted ceiling, was so
spacious and lofty that at first they took it for an immeasurable plain.
But their eyes at length growing familiar to the grandeur of the objects
at hand, they extended their view to those at a distance, and discovered
rows of columns and arcades, which gradually diminished till they
terminated in a point, radiant as the sun when he darts his last beams
athwart the ocean; the pavement, strewed over with gold dust and saffron,
exhaled so subtle an odour as almost overpowered them; they, however,
went on, and observed an infinity of censers, in which ambergris and the
wood of aloes were continually burning; between the several columns were
placed tables, each spread with a profusion of viands, and wines of every
species sparkling in vases of crystal. A throng of Genii and other
fantastic spirits of each sex danced in troops, at the sound of music
which issued from beneath.

In the midst of this immense hall a vast multitude was incessantly
passing, who severally kept their right hands on their hearts, without
once regarding anything around them; they had all the livid paleness of
death; their eyes, deep sunk in their sockets, resembled those phosphoric
meteors that glimmer by night in places of interment. Some stalked
slowly on, absorbed in profound reverie; some, shrieking with agony, ran
furiously about, like tigers wounded with poisoned arrows; whilst others,
grinding their teeth in rage, foamed along, more frantic than the wildest
maniac. They all avoided each other, and, though surrounded by a
multitude that no one could number, each wandered at random, unheedful of
the rest, as if alone on a desert which no foot had trodden.

Vathek and Nouronihar, frozen with terror at a sight so baleful, demanded
of the Giaour what these appearances might mean, and why these ambulating
spectres never withdrew their hands from their hearts.

"Perplex not yourselves," replied he bluntly, "with so much; at once you
will soon be acquainted with all; let us haste and present you to Eblis."

They continued their way through the multitude but, notwithstanding their
confidence at first, they were not sufficiently composed to examine with
attention the various perspectives of halls and of galleries that opened
on the right hand and left, which were all illuminated by torches and
braziers, whose flames rose in pyramids to the centre of the vault. At
length they came to