"The guards took her away last night," Leonora answered indifferently. "She'll trouble you no more."
Hastily Pansy got to her feet, and went to the big door leading out of the harem. She knew what lay beyond; a large vestibule where, day and night, half a dozen eunuchs lounged.
Seeing Pansy on the threshold, brought them to their feet, barring her exit.
"I must see the Sultan," she said.
Although she made the request, she hardly expected to have it granted, for the Sultan came when he felt disposed.
"Lady, I'll inform the Sultan of your desires," one of the guards replied.
With that he left the vestibule.
Pansy waited, conscious of the servility and overwhelming desire to please that oozed from these menials.
Before long the messenger returned.
It appeared that the girl's wish was to be granted. With a negro on either side of her Pansy was taken through an intricate maze of corridors, past closed doors, open arches and Arabesque windows, to a further door that her escort opened.