"
"Let them bring the besom hither; it may be of use," said Vathek, who was
still employed, not having quite racked off his wine.
"How!" said Bababalouk, half aloud and amazed.
"Obey," replied the Caliph, "for it is my sovereign will; go instantly,
vanish; for here will I receive the good folk, who have thus filled thee
with joy."
The eunuch departed muttering, and bade the venerable train attend him. A
sacred rapture was diffused amongst these reverend old men. Though
fatigued with the length of their expedition, they followed Bababalouk
with an alertness almost miraculous, and felt themselves highly
flattered, as they swept along the stately porticoes, that the Caliph
would not receive them like ambassadors in ordinary in his hall of
audience. Soon reaching the interior of the harem (where, through blinds
of Persian, they perceived large soft eyes, dark and blue, that went and
came like lightning), penetrated with respect and wonder, and full of
their celestial mission, they advanced in procession towards the small
corridors that appeared to terminate in nothing, but nevertheless led to
the cell where the Caliph expected their coming.
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