Page:The Burton Holmes lectures; (IA burtonholmeslect04holm).pdf/351

 at his doorway the chief guardian of the inner palace. The hour of six has not yet rung; no one is astir besides the guardian save an old woman who, with a score of goats, has paused at his request to fill a mug with goat's milk freshly drawn in full view of the purchaser. Seizing my opportunity I enter into conversation with the pair; and when the old dame has departed, the guardian does not re-enter his fairy palace unaccompanied, for he—may Allah prosper him!—accepts a proffered fee, slyly admits a happy stranger to his wonderland, and then, bidding me be silent, steals away to his apartments. Thus it was I found myself for a few brief hours master of the Alhambra. Like our loved compatriot, Washington Irving, I had succeeded to the vacant throne of the ill-fated king Boabdil. For three delicious hours I was alone in the Alhambra.

SPANISH SWORD AND SCEPTER Photograph by Harlow D. Higinbotham

The first court, that of the Myrtles, was silent and deserted; I almost feared to move, to break the stillness with