thrones encrusted with diamonds, sat Than Kosis
and his consort, surrounded by officers and dig-
nitaries of state. Before them stretched a broad
aisle lined on either side with soldiery, and as I
looked there entered this aisle at the far end of
the hall, the head of a procession which advanced
to the foot of the throne.

First there marched four officers of the jed-
dak's Guard bearing a huge salver on which
reposed, upon a cushion of scarlet silk, a great
golden chain with a collar and padlock at each
end. Directly behind these officers came four
others carrying a similar salver which supported
the magnificent ornaments of a prince and prin-
cess of the reigning house of Zodanga.

At the foot of the throne these two parties sep-
arated and halted, facing each other at opposite
sides of the aisle. Then came more dignitaries,
and the officers of the palace and of the army,
and finally two figures entirely muffled in scarlet
silk, so that not a feature of either was discern-
ible. These two stopped at the foot of the throne,
facing Than Kosis. When the balance of the pro-
cession had entered and assumed their stations
Than Kosis addressed the couple standing before
him. I could not hear his words, but presently

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