This was Ta Lama, Prince of Soldjak and High Priest of the Buddhist Temple.

He welcomed us very cordially and invited us to sit down before the fire burning in the copper brazier.

His surprisingly beautiful Princess served us with tea and Chinese confections and cakes.

We smoked our pipes, though the Prince as a Lama did not indulge, fulfilling, however, his duty as a host by raising to his lips the pipes we offered him and handing us in return the green nephrite bottle of snuff.

Thus with the etiquette accomplished we awaited the words of the Prince.