This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910 edition. Excerpt: .to the instep; tapestry hung before the door by which Franz had entered, and also in front of another door leading into a second apartment, which seemed to be brilliantly lighted up. The host gave Franz time for his surprise and, moreover, rendered him look for look, not even taking his eyes off him.

" Sir," he said, after some pause, " a thousand excuses for the precaution taken in your introduction hither; but as during the greater portion of the year this island is deserted, if the secret of this abode were discovered I should, doubtless, find on my return my temporary retirement in a a state of great disorder, which would be exceedingly annoying, not for the loss it occasioned me, but because I should not have the certainty I now possess of separating myself from all the rest of mankind at pleasure. Let me now endeavor to make you forget this temporary unpleasantness and offer you what, no doubt, you did not expect to find here--that is to say, a tolerable supper and pretty comfortable beds." "Ma foil my dear sir," replied Franz, " make no apologies. I have always observed that they bandage peoples eyes who penetrate enchanted palaces; for instance, those of Raoul, in the " Huguenots," and really I have nothing to complain of, for what I see is a sequel to the wonders of the "Arabian Nights." "Alas I may say with Lucullus, if I could have anticipated the honor of your visit, I would have prepared for it. But such as is my hermitage, it is at your disposal; such as is my supper, it is yours to share, if you will. Ali, is the supper ready?" At this moment the tapestry moved aside and a Nubian, black as ebony, and dressed in a plain, white tunic, made a sign to his master that all was prepared in the salle-d-manyer. " Now," said the.