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40 tions, while the sparkling of eyes, the ivory of teeth, and the warm crimson of lips, imparted a gay and joyous sense of life to the whole scene.

A flight of brazen steps conducted from this hall into a subterraneous apartment, where lay much gold and silver, together with jewels that sparkled in every variety of tint. Along the walls, stood a row of beauteous vases, all apparently filled with treasures, and the most valuable rarities. Gold might here be seen worked into every shape, and dazzled the eye with its surpassing polish. A number of dwarfs were busily occupied in sorting out heaps of coin, and arranging them in different vessels: others of most grotesque figure, hump-backed, and with long red noses, in comparison with which, the ruby would seem pale, and of complexions rivalling in dye, the precious metal committed to their charge, were employed in bringing in sacks of gold, whose shining contents they forthwith spread out upon the floor. In their active hurry, they would frequently jostle against, and overthrow each other; and, upon