Nevertheless she did not seem displeased.

At last recovering herself, she invited me to accompany her into one of the less crowded rooms and listen to the songs of the birds.

I followed her steps as she glided before me, and she led me into a chamber almost deserted.

A fountain of naphtha was playing in the centre of the room; round it were ranged soft divans, and the walls of the room were open on one side to an aviary in which the birds were chanting their artful chorus.

The Gy seated herself on one of the divans, and I placed myself at her side.