CHAP. XIV. INVITATION TO THE PALACE. 375 



In the course of the forenoon my friend came to inform me 

 that I should be required to attend about three o'clock, and 

 to inquire how I meant to dress. I told him I had not 

 thought of any other dress than such as I should wear at a 

 dinner or evening party in England. He did not seem satis- 

 fied, and expressed a wish to see my wardrobe; and dis- 

 covering in a chest which I opened a rich satin green and 

 purple plaid dressing-gown, with scarlet lining, which I had 

 purchased in London for a present to one of the nobles, he 

 instantly suggested that I should put that on over my coat, 

 and throw one side back that the lining might also be seen. 

 I at first thought him jesting; but, finding him very nfUch in 

 earnest, I consented to comply with his wishes. A few 

 minutes after three o'clock the following note was de- 

 livered : — 



" Sir, — Please to follow the bearer of this as quick as 

 possible, that you may have an audience of her majesty. 



"Yours truly, 



«R ." 



I finished my toilet, including the di-essing-gown, not much 

 to my own satisfaction, and jjroceeded to my palanquin, 

 where I could not help noticing the dress of some of my own 

 bearers, especially Sodra, who, on his head or person, had got 

 something of almost every colour in the rainbow, and arranged 

 after his own fashion. 



As we approached the palace crowds of people lined the 

 road. We halted on reaching the post of the first guards 

 outside the gates, where the officer who was with us aii- 

 nounced our arrival. In a few minutes orders came for us to 

 proceed. As we passed under the large wooden gateway, 

 filling up the centre of a neat stone arch, we took off our 

 hats, advanced towards the palace across a square fifty or 

 sixty yards wide, three sides of which were lined with troops 



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