ABAB WEDDING. 91 occasion, we were usliered into the inner court, where the table and chairs borrowed from us were arranged and a sumptuous repast (for Lado) was prepared. We afterwards returned to the other guests, and remained for some time watching the entertainment. Some of the people were playing chess, others had about twenty colfee-cups turned upside down on a tray, a ring being hidden under one of the cups. The object of the players was to find out where the ring was, the only means used to discover its whereabouts being guesses ; after a certain number of mistakes, forfeits were exacted.

At intervals there was singing and comic acting, but not of a very high class. Occasionally a man rose and recited a story, which, from the merriment it excited among the listeners, must have been amusing ; but I was not sufficiently proficient in Arabic to understand what was said. There was also a performance by dancing girls, which was a wonderful exhibition ; when desirous of showing great honour to a guest they danced up to him, and, stopping short just before him, threw themselves forward, and if any of their long hair touched his clothes he was expected to make them a small present. If one of the performers took an especial fancy to one of the onlookers, she danced up to him, suddenly turned round, sat down on his knee, and threw her head over his shoulder. The person so distinguished must acknowledge the honour by giving the dancer