I RETURNED her thanks, and, soon after, took my leave.  I was conducted back in the same manner I entered, and would have gone straight to my own house; but the Greek lady with me, earnestly solicited me to visit the kahya’s lady, saying, he was the second officer in the empire, and ought indeed to be looked upon as the first, the grand vizier having only the name, while he exercised the authority.  I had found so little diversion in the vizier’s haram, that I had no mind to go into another.  But her importunity prevailed with me, and I am extremely glad I was so complaisant.  All things here were with quite another air than at the grand vizier’s; and the very house confessed the difference between an old devotee, and a young beauty.  It was nicely clean and magnificent.  I was met at the door by two black eunuchs, who led me through a long gallery, between two ranks of beautiful young girls, with their hair finely plaited, almost hanging to their feet, all dressed in fine light damasks, brocaded with silver.  I was sorry that decency did not permit me to stop to consider them nearer.  But that thought was lost upon my entrance into a large room, or rather pavilion, built round with gilded sashes, which were most of them thrown up, and the trees planted near them gave an agreeable shade, which hindered the sun from being troublesome.  The jessamines and honey-suckles that twisted round their trunks, shed a soft perfume, increased by a white marble fountain playing sweet water in the lower part of the room, which fell into three or four basins, with a pleasing sound.  The roof was painted with all sorts of flowers, falling out of gilded baskets, that seemed tumbling down.  On a sofa, raised three steps, and covered with fine Persian carpets, sat the kahya’s lady, leaning on cushions of white sattin, embroidered; and at her feet sat two young girls about twelve years old, lovely as angels, dressed perfectly rich, and almost covered with jewels.  But they were hardly seen near the fair Fatima, (for that is her name) so much her beauty effaced every thing I have seen, nay, all that has been called lovely either in England or Germany.  I must own, that I never saw any thing so gloriously beautiful, nor can I recollect a face that would have been taken notice of near hers.  She stood up to receive me, saluting me after their fashion, putting her hand to her heart with a sweetness full of majesty, that no court breeding could ever give.  She ordered cushions to be given me, and took care to place me in the corner, which is the place of honour.  I confess, though the Greek lady had before given me a great opinion of her beauty, I was so struck with admiration, that I could not, for some time, speak to her, being wholly taken up in gazing.  That surprising harmony of features! that charming result of the whole! that exact proportion of body! that lovely bloom of complexion unsullied by art! the unutterable enchantment of her smile!—­But her eyes!—­large and black, with all the soft languishment of the blue! every turn of her face discovering some new grace.