Sent for to the Palace. Fragility of Europeans. The Amîr’s postîn. The Bedchamber. The King’s evening costume. The guests. The Amîr’s illness. School in the Durbar-room. The Amîr’s conversation. Khans: the water supply of London: plurality of wives. The Amîr is bled. His Highness a physician in Turkestan. Drawing. The Amîr’s portrait. Amîr’s choice of costume. The Shah of Persia. Portraits of the Shah. The rupee and the Queen’s portrait. Cigar holders. Concerning Afghan hillmen. Dinner. The Amîr’s domestic habits. Amîr’s consideration for subordinates. European customs. The new Kabul. Native drugs. Soup and beef tea. The paper trick. The Kafir Page. European correspondence. Vaccination of Prince Mahomed Omer. Afghan women. The Prince’s house. The Prince. The operation. Abdul Wahid. Afghan desire for vaccination. The Armenian’s useful sagacity. An Afghan superstition. The Agent’s secretary. His comments upon Bret Harte: the meaning of “By Jove.” European “divorce” from an Oriental point of view. CHAPTER XVI. THE FIRST SITTING Morning prayers. Early tea. Breakfast. The first sitting for the Amîr’s portrait. The Courtier’s criticism. The Amîr’s rebuke. The Deputation. Conversation with the Amîr: the climate of England and Australia. Awe of the Courtiers. The favourite Page boy’s privileges. Serious incident at a sitting. The Captain’s toothache. Present of a rifle from the Amîr. The shooting expedition and its dangers. Courage of the “Burma policeman.” The eccentric rider. The singing Afghan. The scenery of Mazar. Salutations in the market place. The meeting with Prince Amin Ullah. CHAPTER XVII. THE AMÎR AS AN ART CRITIC The “villain” cook. Mental effect of a cold in the head. Portrait of the infant Prince. The Amîr’s reflection in the window. The Amîr as an Art Critic. Salaams to the King’s Portrait. The Amîr’s toilet. A shooting expedition. The mud of Mazar. The Armenian’s comments. The sample case of cigars. The Amîr’s handwriting. A sunset. CHAPTER XVIII. THE LEVEE ON NEW YEAR’S DAY The Mahomedan New Year’s Eve. Presents. The “Izzat” medal. Coinage of Afghanistan: Rupees: Pice: the “Tilla.” Levee on New Year’s Day. The guests: Maleks and Governors: the British Agent. Presents to the Amîr. Chess as played in Afghanistan. The Amîr as a Pathologist. The steam-engine pony. Sight-seeing with the Princes. The Temple of Mazar. The booths at the entrance to the Temple. The Park of Mazar. Native music. The Afghan dance. Kabuli wrestling. CHAPTER XIX. THE YOUNG PRINCES