Into this court and across it, Sah-luma led his wondering guest, . . ascending a wide flight of steps, they entered a vast open hall, where the light poured in through rose-colored and pale blue glass, that gave a strange yet lovely effect of mingled sunset and moonlight to the scene. Here--reclining about on cushions of silk and velvet--were several beautiful girls in various attitudes of indolence and ease,--one laughing, black-haired houri was amusing herself with a tame bird which flew to and from her uplifted finger,--another in a half-sitting posture, played cup-and-ball with much active and graceful dexterity,--some were working at gold and silver embroidery,--others, clustered in a semicircle round a large osier basket filled with myrtle, were busy weaving garlands of the fragrant leaves,--and one maiden, seemingly younger than the rest, and of lighter and more delicate complexion, leaned somewhat pensively against an ebony-framed harp, as though she were considering what sad or suggestive chords she should next awaken from its responsive strings. As Sah-luma and Theos appeared, these nymphs all rose from their different occupations and amusements, and stood with bent heads and folded hands in statuesque silence and humility. "These are my human rosebuds!" said Sah-luma softly and gayly, as holding the dazzled Theos by the arm he escorted him past these radiant and exquisite forms--"They bloom, and fade, and die, like the flowers thrown by the populace,--proud and happy to feel that their perishable loveliness has, even, for a brief while, been made more lasting by contact with my deathless poet-fame! Ah, Niphrata!" and he paused at the side of the girl standing by the harp--"Hast thou sung many of my songs to-day? ... or is thy voice too weak for such impassioned cadence? Thou art pale, . . I miss thy soft blush and dimpling smile,--what ails thee, my honey-throated oriole?" "Nothing, my lord"--answered Niphrata in a low tone, raising a pair of lovely, dusky, violet eyes, fringed with long black lashes,--"Nothing,--save that my heart is always sad in thine absence!" Sah-luma smiled, well pleased.