Then suddenly Nyleptha made a sign, the trumpets blew again, and everybody rose to leave the hall save ourselves and the guards, whom she motioned to stay.
When they were all gone she bent forward and, smiling sweetly, partially by signs and partially by exclamations made it clear to us that she was very anxious to know where we came from.
The difficulty was how to explain, but at last an idea struck me.

I had my large pocket-book in my pocket and a pencil.

Taking it out, I made a little sketch of a lake, and then as best I could I drew the underground river and the lake at the other end.

When I had done this I advanced to the steps of the throne and gave it to her.

She understood it at once and clapped her hands with delight, and then descending from the throne took it to her sister Sorais, who also evidently understood.