High above our heads were great rocks of sapphire, deepening to lapis-lazuli at the base, with here and there a streak of malachite." "It seems like Aladdin's Cave," remarked Flora.
"Yes," replied Mr.Green; "only it was Aladdin's Cave undergoing a wondrous 'sea change.' A poetess, who writes for the papers under the name of Melissa Mayflower, had fastened herself upon our party in some way; and I suppose she felt bound to sustain the reputation of the quill.

She said the Nereids must have built that marine palace, and decorated it for a visit from fairies of the rainbow." "That was a pretty thought," said Flora.

"It sounds like 'Lalla Rookh.'" "It was a pretty thought," rejoined the gentleman, "but can give you no idea of the unearthly splendor.

I thought how you would have been delighted if you had been with our party.

I regretted your absence almost as much as I did at the opera.