One, with a pale clear complexion, dark hair and eyes, quite came up to my idea of an Oriental beauty.  Not content, however, with her good looks, she had her eyebrows darkened, while a delicate black line under her eyes and a little well-applied rouge and powder (I regret to confess) made her at a little distance a still more brilliant beauty.  I doubt if any women understand the use of cosmetics as well as these harem ladies.  Her dress was a bright-cherry silk, the waist cut low in front, the skirt reaching to her knees.  Trousers of the same and slippers to match completed her costume.  The other wife was equally attractive, with lovely blue eyes and soft wavy hair.  She was dressed in a white Brousa silk waist, richly embroidered with crimson and gold braid, blue silk skirt, white trousers and yellow slippers.  They both had on a great deal of jewelry.  Several sets, I should think, were disposed about their persons with great effect, though not in what we should consider very good taste.  Being only able to wear one pair of earrings, they had the extra pairs fastened to their braids, which were elaborately arranged about their heads and hung down behind.  There were half a dozen slaves in the room, who when not waiting on their mistresses squatted on the floor, smoked, and listened to the conversation.  Coffee was brought almost immediately, the cups of lovely blue and white china in pretty silver holders on a tray of gilt filigree.

After sitting here a while exchanging the compliments of the day, we passed to the next room, a large saloon with windows and door opening into the court.  Here a fountain threw up a sparkling jet of water, and several trees and flowering shrubs, with a profusion of ivy on the walls, made it a very attractive place.  The child of the eldest wife, a bright-eyed little boy, was floating chips in the basin of the fountain, laughing and clapping his hands when the falling water upset them or wet his face.  The floor was covered with large handsome rugs, and around the sides of the room were luxurious divans:  little other furniture seems necessary in a Turkish house.  We followed our hostesses’ example and seated ourselves on the divans, though not, as they did, with our feet under us, and refreshments were served on a large gilt salver, in the middle of which was a handsome covered dish of Bohemian glass filled with sweetmeats, with vases on each side to match, one holding queer-shaped little spoons with golden bowls.  There were also four glasses of water and four minute glasses of pale yellow cordial.  Fortunately, the tray was passed first to Madame L——­; so I watched her movements and learned what to do.  She took a spoon from one vase, dipped it in the sweetmeats, and after eating placed her spoon in the empty vase.  Then she took some water and drank a glass of cordial.  So we each did (it is polite to taste but once), and placed the soiled spoon in the vase for that purpose.  I did not need to be told that the sweetmeats were rose-leaves, for the flavor was perfectly preserved.