TO THE COURT OF AVA, 
265 
This was intended for effect, and was certainly 
not unsuccessful. In a few minutes he got up, 
with a sword in his hand, walked briskly for¬ 
ward, and seated himself on the throne in the 
front hall. He was very richly dressed in a vest 
of gold brocade, with a turban of gold-sprigged 
muslin. He wore two or three necklaces : one 
of these was a good string of pearls ; and another 
a necklace of rubies, chiefly composed of small 
stones, but having in the centre one jewel of this 
class of very large size, and to all appearance of 
considerable value. His fingers were covered 
with rings, chiefly rubies and diamonds. The 
sword-scabbard was also richly studded with the 
same gems. The throne was a couch highly or¬ 
namented, and was a handsome piece of furni¬ 
ture. The Prince was a fine lad of about four¬ 
teen, and had hitherto evinced a kind and mild 
disposition. He was much agitated, but not¬ 
withstanding acted his part with great propriety. 
Behind him there was a crowd of women of all 
ages, some of them his attendants, but the 
greater number the wives and daughters of 
chiefs who had come from curiosity. Among 
them was to be distinguished an elderly and 
venerable matron, the nurse of the Prince, 
whose countenance and demeanour evinced the 
utmost anxiety for her charge’s success in this 
