{"id":"01KG8AJTRAMFTZKGTN8G0VXVJF","cid":"bafkreicgbhsdwcpdlucfz24u3gcwaz5gkxe422v7bswchk7awils7wqw7i","type":"chapter","properties":{"description":"# CHAPTER LXI. An Incognito\n## Overview - What this is (type, form, dates, scope)\nChapter LXI of the novel \"[Mardi: And a Voyage Thither](arke:01KG8AJA6157W2830190N652KA)\" is a chapter extracted from the text file [mardi_vol1.txt](arke:01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK), which is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The chapter, labeled \"CHAPTER LXI. An Incognito\", spans lines 6625 to 6705 of the source file.\n\n## Context - Background and provenance from related entities\nThis chapter follows \"CHAPTER LX. Belshazzar On The Bench\" and precedes \"CHAPTER LXII. Taji Retires From The World\". The novel \"Mardi: And a Voyage Thither\" was extracted from the text file \"mardi_vol1.txt\". The text file is part of the \"Melville Complete Works\" collection.\n\n## Contents - What it contains, key subjects and details\nThe chapter describes the arrival of visitors from neighboring islands who come to see Odo. It details the appearance of a mysterious figure, an \"incognito,\" who is described as being cloaked and with only one visible eye. The narrator attempts to approach the figure, but it evades him. The chapter also recounts the arrival of three women sent by Queen Hautia, who present the narrator with flowers and a message. The narrator is puzzled by the message.\n","description_generated_at":"2026-01-30T20:49:10.630Z","description_model":"gemini-2.5-flash-lite","description_title":"CHAPTER LXI. An Incognito","end_line":6705,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:39.468Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"CHAPTER LXI. An Incognito","source_file":"01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK","start_line":6625,"text":"CHAPTER LXI.\r\nAn Incognito\r\n\r\n\r\nFor the rest of that day, and several that followed, we were\r\ncontinually receiving visits from the neighboring islands; whose\r\ninhabitants in fleets and flotillas flocked round Odo to behold the\r\nguests of its lord. Among them came many messengers from the\r\nneighboring kings with soft speeches and gifts.\r\n\r\nBut it were needless to detail our various interviews, or relate in\r\nwhat manifold ways, the royal strangers gave token of their interest\r\nconcerning us.\r\n\r\nUpon the third day, however, there was noticed a mysterious figure,\r\nlike the inscrutable incognitos sometimes encountered, crossing the\r\ntower-shadowed Plaza of Assignations at Lima. It was enveloped in a\r\ndark robe of tappa, so drawn and plaited about the limbs; and with one\r\nhand, so wimpled about the face, as only to expose a solitary eye. But\r\nthat eye was a world. Now it was fixed upon Yillah with a sinister\r\nglance, and now upon me, but with a different expression. However great\r\nthe crowd, however tumultuous, that fathomless eye gazed on; till at\r\nlast it seemed no eye, but a spirit, forever prying into my soul. Often\r\nI strove to approach it, but it would evade me, soon reappearing.\r\n\r\nPointing out the apparition to Media, I intreated him to take means to\r\nfix it, that my suspicions might be dispelled, as to its being\r\nincorporeal. He replied that, by courtesy, incognitos were sacred.\r\nInsomuch that the close-plaited robe and the wimple were secure as a\r\ncastle. At last, to my relief, the phantom disappeared, and was seen no\r\nmore.\r\n\r\nNumerous and fervent the invitations received to return the calls\r\nwherewith we were honored. But for the present we declined them;\r\npreferring to establish ourselves firmly in the heart of Media, ere\r\nencountering the vicissitudes of roaming. In a multitude of\r\nacquaintances is less security, than in one faithful friend.\r\n\r\nNow, while these civilities were being received, and on the fourth\r\nmorning after our arrival, there landed on the beach three black-eyed\r\ndamsels, deep brunettes, habited in long variegated robes, and with gay\r\nblossoms on their heads.\r\n\r\nWith many salams, the strangers were ushered into my presence by an old\r\nwhite-haired servitor of Media’s, who with a parting congé murmured,\r\n“From Queen Hautia,” then departed. Surprised, I stood mute, and\r\nwelcomed them.\r\n\r\nThe first, with many smiles and blandishments, waved before me a\r\nmany-tinted Iris: the flag-flower streaming with pennons. Advancing,\r\nthe second then presented three rose-hued purple-veined Circea flowers,\r\nthe dew still clinging to them. The third placed in my hand a moss-rose\r\nbud; then, a Venus-car.\r\n\r\n“Thanks for your favors! now your message.”\r\n\r\nStarting at this reception, graciously intended, they conferred a\r\nmoment; when the Iris-bearer said in winning phrase, “We come from\r\nHautia, whose moss-rose you hold.”\r\n\r\n“All thanks to Hautia then; the bud is very fragrant.”\r\n\r\nThen she pointed to the Venus-car.\r\n\r\n“This too is sweet; thanks to Hautia for her flowers. Pray, bring me\r\nmore.”\r\n\r\n“He mocks our mistress,” and gliding from me, they waved witch- hazels,\r\nleaving me alone and wondering.\r\n\r\nInforming Media of this scene, he smiled; threw out queer hints of\r\nHautia; but knew not what her message meant.\r\n\r\nAt first this affair occasioned me no little uneasiness, with much\r\nmatter for marveling; but in the novel pleasure of our sojourn in Odo,\r\nit soon slipped from my mind; nor for some time, did I again hear aught\r\nof Queen Hautia.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r","title":"CHAPTER LXI. An Incognito"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJA6157W2830190N652KA","peer_type":"novel","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AJTRHCR9XD33CBGEJR5ZA","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AJTRA2GWSC9053YZG6W2E","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"next"}],"ver":3,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:44.394Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:49:11.917Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF5C36SQEVDHC9CBNZZJH9K"}}