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44 rower. At length, it stopped; and Zerina struck the rocky bank, which immediately opened after the manner of a door, where on alighting, they were received by a female figure, whose complexion and drapery were entirely of a glowing red colour.

“Are our friends all well?” enquired Zerina. “Is every thing right?”

“Perfectly so,” returned their conductress, “there is, as you will shortly find, no lacknol ack [sic] of mirth; you will be delighted too with the delightful warmth of our abode.”

Thus saying, she led them down a winding stair-case, and Maria suddenly found herself in a hall of such amazing splendour, that, for some few moments, she was quite dazzled by the brilliancy of the scene. Flame-coloured tapestries shed over the walls, a rich purple glow of various tints: they were apparently embroidered all over with figures of the most surprising workmanship; yet, what most excited the wonder of the newly-arrived visitor, was, to perceive that these figures kept dancing