CHAP. XIV. 
INVITATION TO THE PALACE. 
375 
In the course of the forenoon my friend came to inform me 
that I should he 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 much 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, 
“K-.” 
I finished my toilet, including the dressing-gown, not much 
to my own satisfaction, and proceeded 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 an¬ 
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 
B B 4 
