When we arrived he was holding a kind of levée, in a building constructed of bamboo with some elegance, and covered with red cloth, but the interior of which looked more like a theatre than a royal abode. Finding at the door neither sentinel nor porter, we entered without being announced. The king was seated on an old European chair, with two officers on each side of him, who from time to time offered him, kneeling, a lighted cigarette, or some betel, which they kept always ready. At a little distance stood his guards, some holding pikes ornamented at the top with white tufts; others with sheathed sabres in their hands. The ministers and mandarins knelt a few steps below his Majesty. On our entrance, chairs similar to the king’s were placed for us close to him. Like his subjects, he generally wears nothing but the langouti, the native dress. His was composed of yellow silk, confined at the waist by a magnificent belt of gold studded with precious stones. At Cambodia, as at Siam, it is necessary to offer presents, if one desires to gain the royal favour. I had accordingly brought with me an English walking-stick gun, as a gift for the king. It at once attracted his notice. “Pray show me that cane,” he said, in Cambodian. I gave it to him. “Is it loaded?” asked he, seeing it was a fire-arm. “No, sire.” He then begged for a cap and snapped it; unscrewed the barrel and examined it with great attention. “If it would be agreeable to his Majesty,” I said to M. Hestrest, “I shall be happy to offer it to the king.” The abbé interpreted my words. “What did it cost?” asked the king. “Sire, I dare not ask M. Mouhot. In Europe no one tells the price of what he gives.” The king then begged to look at my watch, and, after inspecting it attentively, again asked the price. The abbé then alluded to my design of visiting Udong, the capital of Cambodia, and of journeying through the country. “Go to Udong; go about,” said the king, laughing. “Very well.” He then asked my name, and tried to write it; on which I drew out my pocket-book and gave him one of my cards. He seemed to wish for the pocket-book, and I presented him with it. “Sire,” said M. Hestrest, “as M. Mouhot is going to Udong, perhaps your Majesty will deign to facilitate his journey.” “Willingly. How many carriages do you want?” “Three will be sufficient, sire.” “And for what day?” “The day after to-morrow, sire.” THE AMBASSADOR’S HOTEL.