The other two were Sir Salar Jung, Regent and Prime
Minister, and the Wikar Shums Ool Umara. They were all relations of the
Nizam. Here again was a beautiful palace in gardens, full of storks,
pigeons, and other birds. Besides birds, there were flowers; and all
the gardens and terraces were covered with honeysuckle. We inspected
the town also, each riding on a separate elephant. And when that was
over every one went back to breakfast with the Amir; and a charming
breakfast it was, with delicious mangoes. Our host wore a lovely
cashmere robe, like a dressing-gown, and gorgeous jewels.
Our last recollections of Hyderabad were brilliant, for Sir Salar Jung
gave a magnificent evening _fete_. One of the large courts of the palace
was illuminated: the starlight was above us, the blaze of wax lights and
chandeliers lit up every hall around the court, and coloured lamps and
flowers were everywhere. There was a nautch, which I thought very
stupid, for the girls did nothing but eat sweetmeats, and occasionally
ran forward and twirled round for a moment with a half-bold, semi-
conscious look; and only one was barely good-looking. Perhaps that is
the nautch to dance before ladies; but in Syria, I remember, they danced
much better without being "shocking." We had a most delicious dinner
afterwards, at which we were waited on by retainers in wild, picturesque
costumes. When that was over, the band played.
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