APPENDIX. 355 



The regards of surprise with which she beheld us, 

 when she summoned up sufficient courage to peep from 

 under her luxurious eyelashes, are but to be compared 

 to that of a scared antelope. No wonder, poor lady; 

 I believe it to have been the first time she had ever left 

 her husband's harem, to go into the company of stran- 

 gers, and these, men and infidels. 



She remained in our presence about half an hour, 

 during the whole of which time she was standing on the 

 ottoman at her lord's feet, we enjoying our chiboohs. 

 We repeatedly requested him to allow her to be seated, 

 stating how painful it was for us to see her standing, but 

 he turned a deaf ear upon our entreaties. Enough, 

 patient creature, it was her lord's will, she obeyed. 



I was afterwards admitted, with the ladies of our 

 part}^ to the harem itself. The room was small, and its 

 fitting up very similar to most of the others I had seen 

 in different parts of Turkey, — very little furniture, save 

 two or three ottomans on the- different sides. 



Having conciliated his friendship most materially by 

 a present of gunpowder, I was never after, on any of my 

 future visits, refused the sight of the aga's favourite 

 wife, when at home, although unaccompanied by ladies, 

 and seldom was this permission denied to the friends 

 that accompanied me. The most unlucky instance was, 

 when I took Mr. Lewis, the author of those beautiful 

 sketches in Andalusia, to Murto ; they stated she was 

 from home. Rassuli allowed Mr. Lewis to take a draw- 

 ing of himself and sons, but by her not being there, 

 he was prevented even the chance (which otherwise I 

 think w^ould not have been denied) of sketching her also. 



