these noble
Tartars to an hotel. 'Tis well! Take care that the hotel is a good one,
worthy of the distinguished strangers. What think you of the 'Tavern of
Eternal Equity?'" "The very hotel whither I was leading the Lords
Lamas." "There is none better in the empire. By the way, the host is an
acquaintance of mine. I cannot do better than accompany you and
recommend these noble Tartars to his best care. In fact, if I were not
to go with you, I should have a weight upon my heart. When we are
fortunate enough to meet brothers who need our aid, how can we do too
much for them, for we are all brothers! My lords, you see this young man
and myself; well, we two are clerks in the same establishment, and we
make it our pride to serve our brothers the Tartars; for, alas! in this
dreadful city there is but too little virtue."

Any one, hearing their professions of devoted zeal, would have imagined
these two personages to have been the friends of our childhood; but we
were sufficiently acquainted with Chinese manners to perceive at once
that we were the mark of a couple of swindlers. Accordingly, when we saw
inscribed on a door, "Hotel of the Three Perfections; transitory guests
on horse and camel entertained, and their affairs transacted with
infallible success," we at once directed our course up the gateway,
despite the vehement remonstrances of our worthy guides, and rode down a
long avenue to the great square court of the hotel. The little blue cap
worn by the attendants indicated that we were in a Turkish establishment.

This proceeding of ours was not at all what the two Chinese desired; but
they still followed us, and, without appearing disconcerted, continued to
act their parts. "Where are the people of the hotel," cried they, with
an immense air; "let them prepare a large apartment, a fine, clean
apartment? Their Excellencies have arrived, and must be suitably
accommodated." One of the principal waiters presented himself, holding
by his teeth a key, in one hand a broom, and in the other a watering-pot.
Our two protectors immediately took possession of these articles. "Leave
everything to us," said they; "it is we who claim the honour of
personally waiting upon our illustrious friends; you, attendants of the
hotel, you only do things by halves, actuated as you are merely by
mercenary considerations." And thereupon they set to work sprinkling,
sweeping, and cleaning the room to which the waiter guided us.