He was disconcerted, but the Turkey carpet assured him somewhat.

As his eyes grew habituated to the light he saw that the cathedral was very narrow, and that instead of the choir was a staircase, also clothed in Turkey carpet.

On the lowest step reposed an object whose nature he could not at first determine.
"Would it be for long ?" the lips opposite him muttered cautiously.
His reply--the reply of an impulsive, shy nature--was to rush out of the palace.

He had identified the object on the stairs.

It was a slop-pail with a wrung cloth on its head.
He felt profoundly discouraged and pessimistic.