My impatience to arrive at the castle was such, that I lost no time; indeed I made so much haste that I reached it in less than half a day; and I may add, that I found it much more beautiful than it had been described. The gate was open, and I entered into a square court of such vast extent that in it were ninety-nine doors, made of sandal wood and aloes, and one of gold: without reckoning those of many magnificent stair cases, which led to the upper apartments; and some others which I did not see. The hundred doors I have mentioned, formed the entrances either into the gardens or magazines filled with riches, or into some other places which contained things most surprising to behold. Opposite to me I saw an open door, through which I entered into a large saloon, where forty young females were sitting, whose beauty was so perfect, that it was impossible for the imagination to form to itself any thing beyond it. They were all very magnificently dressed; and as soon as they perceived me, they got up, and, without waiting for my paying my compliments, they called out with appearance of great joy, “Welcome, my brave lord, you are welcome;” and one of them speaking for the rest, said, “We have a long time expected a person like you. Your manner sufficiently shows that you possess all the good qualities we could wish, and we hope that you will not find our company either disagreeable or unworthy of you.” After much resistance on my part, they forced me to sit down on a place that was more raised than theirs; and when I showed them it was unpleasant to me, they said, “it is your place; from this moment you are our lord, our master, and our judge; we are your slaves, and ready to obey your commands.” Nothing in the world could have astonished me more than the desire and the eagerness these females professed to render me every possible service. One brought me some warm water to wash my feet; another threw some perfumed water over my hands; some brought me whatever was necessary to change my dress; and others served up a magnificent collation, while another party presented themselves before me with a glass in their hands, ready to pour out the most delicious wine. All this was done without any confusion, and in such admirable order and such a pleasant way, that I was quite charmed. I eat and drank; after which all the ladies, placing themselves around me, asked me to relate my journey. I gave them an account of my adventures so fully, that it lasted till the beginning of the night. When I had finished the relation of my history to the forty ladies, some of those who were seated nearest to me, waited to entertain me; while others, observing it was night, went out to seek for lights. They returned with such a prodigious quantity, that they produced almost the brilliancy of day; but they were arranged with so much symmetry and taste, that we could hardly wish for it.