[rajnish manga]

After some time he rose from his seat, and leaning against thecarved penthouse of the chimney, looked round at the dimly-litroom. The walls were hung with rich tapestries representing theTriumph of Beauty. A large press, inlaid with agate and lapis-
lazuli, filled one corner, and facing the window stood a curiouslywrought cabinet with lacquer panels of powdered and mosaiced gold,on which were placed some delicate goblets of Venetian glass, and acup of dark-veined onyx.

Pale poppies were broidered on the silk coverlet of the bed, as though they had fallen from the tired hands of sleep, and tall reeds of fluted ivory bare up the velvet canopy,from which great tufts of ostrich plumes sprang, like white foam,to the pallid silver of the fretted ceiling. A laughing Narcissusin green bronze held a polished mirror above its head. On thetable stood a flat bowl of amethyst.

Outside he could the huge dome of the cathedral, looming like abubble over the shadowy houses, and the weary sentinels pacing upand down on the misty terrace by the river. Far away, in anorchard, a nightingale was singing. A faint perfume of jasminecame through the open window. He brushed his brown curls back fromhis forehead, and taking up a lute, let his fingers stray acrossthe cords. His heavy eyelids drooped, and a strange languor cameover him. Never before had he so keenly, or with suchexquisite, the magic and the mystery of beautiful things.

When midnight sounded from the clock-tower he a bell, andhis pages entered and disrobed him with much ceremony, pouringrose-water over his hands, and strewing flowers on his pillow. Afew moments after that they had left the room, he fell asleep.

And as he slept he dreamed a dream, and this was his.

He that he was standing in a long, low attic, amidst thewhir and clatter of many looms. The meagre daylight peered inthrough the grated windows, and showed him the gaunt figures of theweavers bending over their cases. Pale, sickly-looking childrenwere crouched on the huge crossbeams.