A VERY FREE TRANSLATION. 137 



these were purposely made narrow and difficult of ascent, 

 to guard against treachery and sudden attacks. In the 

 event of a surprise, one man could, for a time, have easily 

 defended this staircase against a hundred : an Oriental 

 Horatius. 



I emerged in an open gallery running round the four 

 sides of an inner courtyard, shaded by big trees, with a 

 well in the centre, covered by a gaily decorated well 

 house. 



The walls of the gallery are coloured bright crimson, 

 with curious old Indian processions and scenes of sport 

 depicted upon them in gold. The Eaja's aunt received 

 me here, and conducted me into a large room, or rather 

 alcove — for the side next the gallery was only divided 

 off by heavy curtains. The floor and chairs were covered 

 with white cloths, and she herself and all the other ladies 

 were dressed entirely in white. 



My ayah at first was, or pretended to be, overcome 

 with awe, and it was with some trouble I got her to trans- 

 late a few civil words. Then she began to interpret with 

 diffidence ; and gradually acquired a hardened confidence 

 which left me quite out of the conversation. Several 

 times I had to stop her, and ask her what she was 

 saying. For, while the Eanee was making a remark, 

 the ayah would commence without any reference to me, 

 or giving me any idea of the topic on which they talked. 



