The walls were hung with carpets and the floor was covered with Bokhara rugs three deep.
No doubt in order to emphasize his own importance, Abdul Ali kept us waiting in that room for ten minutes before he condescended to enter.

But when he did come at last he was at pains to seem agreeable, which was not quite his natural attitude.
I had never seen a more offensive personality, although at the first glance he did not arouse actual dislike.

Distaste for him dawned, and grew.

He was certainly not physically attractive, although the Syrian Arab costume made him picturesque.

The first thing I noticed was the fatness of his hands--those of a giver of dishonest gifts.