rous benefactor during the whole transaction, and desirous of ac- 
knowledging the obligation, she requested an interview. 
The young Englishman was conducted to a ruined edifice in a 
solitary part of the outer city, which appeared to have been an ap- 
pendage to some magnificent mansion: passing through the portal 
and dark narrow passages common in eastern houses, he entered a 
spacious court, adorned with fountains, shaded by tamarind trees, and 
double tube-roses, the pride of Surat gardens; this led to an open 
pavilion surrounded by a veranda, and over-looking a further gar- 
den in a similar taste, terminated by a hall elegantly furnished with 
mirrors, carpets and Persian paintings; above were the family 
apartments. Here my friend was served with sherbet, fruit, flowers, 
and a hooka. The attendants withdrew on the approach of their 
lady, richly dressed and closely veiled; she entered with a graceful 
dignity ; from the over-flowing of a grateful heart commenced an 
interesting conversation, and presenting him with ottah of roses, 
and a valuable jewel, seemed hurt at his refusal. Young and 
thoughtless, he made a transition from the brilliant gem, to her an- 
telope eyes, sparkling through the veil; and, from a momentary im- 
pulse, requested he might behold a countenance irradiated by her 
superior mind: unwilling to deny the only favour he seemed in- 
clined to accept, she withdrew her veil, and displayed a face still 
decked with youthful bloom, delicate features, and fine expression: 
in this singular situation the enamoured Englishman began a sub- 
ject not easy to mistake, in the warm strains of the Persian and 
Arabian poets; to which she at first vouchsafed' a smile; but as- 
suming a dignified air, and impressive language, she assured him 
that the deep sense of her obligation had alone induced her to de- 
