That night I went to the durbar to visit the king, who, as soon as I came in, sent Asaph Khan to say that he heard I had an excellent painter in my house, and that he wished to see some of his work.  I replied, there was only a young man, a merchant, who drew some figures for his amusement, in a very ordinary manner, with a pen, but which were far from having any claim as paintings.  The king said I need not fear his taking any man from me by force, as he would neither do me any injury himself, nor suffer any to be done me by others, and desired he might see the young man and his work.  I answered, I had no fears of injury from his majesty, and, for his satisfaction, should bring the young man to the Guzalcan with such drawings as he might have, which were probably figures of elephants, deer, or the like.  On this the king bowed his head, saying, if I desired to have an elephant, or any other thing in his country, I had only to let him know freely what I wished, and he would give it me, for he was my friend.  I made a low reverence, humbly thanking his majesty, and said that elephants were of no use to me, neither was it the custom of any person of our nation, especially of my rank, to ask any thing:  Yet, if his majesty were pleased to give me even the value of a rupee, I should thankfully accept it as a mark of his favour.  He answered, that he knew not what I might wish for, but there were many things in his country rare in mine, and desired I might not be dainty, but speak to him freely, and he would give me such things as were most acceptable.  He then desired me to be merry, for he was the friend of our nation and of me, and should take care we had no injury done to us.  He then desired me to attend that night at the Guzalcan, and to bring with me the young man who painted pictures.  Then Asaph Khan wished me to send for him to come to his house, where also he invited me to go till the time when the king came out again, assuring me I should be welcome, which I agreed to.  I had never before been so graciously treated by the king as now, which all the great men took notice of, and accordingly altered their deportment towards me.  It so happened that the jesuit acted as my interpreter on this occasion, by the king’s appointment.

I went from the durbar to the house of Asaph Khan, according to invitation, and continued there till the king came out again, when I was conducted back, accompanied by Mr Hughes, the supposed painter, with whom the king had some discourse.  After this, I shewed the king a curious picture I had of a friend of mine, which pleased him much, and he shewed it to all his company.  The king sent for his chief painter, who pretended he could make as good, which I denied, on which a wager of a horse was made between Asaph Khan and me in the king’s presence, and to please him, but Asaph afterwards retracted.  After this, the Mogul fell to drinking some Alicant wine which I had presented him, giving some of it to those about him, and then sent for a full bottle, and drinking a cup, sent it to me, saying it soured so fast it would be spoiled before he could drink it, and I had none.  This done, he turned him to sleep, when all the candles were put out, and I had to grope my way out in the dark.