These had plinths of delicately-coloured stone over which the light diffused so that they looked luminous, and the small blocks used to fill the apertures of the courses shone like precious things.

Adjacent to one of the porches were two conical shrines, for images and little lamps; and, near-by, a fallen pillar of immense proportions lay undisturbed upon the court of sward across which it had some time shivered down.
But if the palace had been discovered to be the preserved and transported Temple of Solomon it could not have stayed St.George for one moment of admiration.

He was off up the slope, seeing only the great closed portals, and with Amory beside him he ran boldly up the long steps.

It was a part of the unreality of the place that there seemed absolutely no sign of life about the King's palace.

The windows glowed with the soft light within, but there were no guards, no servants, no sign of any presence.