Part 36 (2/2)
”Nine and sixty and the roots of four,” Yas as if there were fire behind thee with the full row bigger and bigger They outlive centuries of aveof it!”
The afternoon wore on in drowsy quiet, both of the girls sleeping at intervals--waited on at intervals by Hasa drinks-- Yasmini silent oftener than not as the sun went lower, as if the details of what she had to do that night were rehearsing the by Tess could ain, or tell any e already she knew too well the virtue and fun of unexpectedness
They ate together very early, reclining at a low table heaped with more varieties of food than Tess had drealy because the weight of as co thehistory of Rajasthan and its royal heroines, accoed instruht chord in Yasmini's heart, for when the
Then ca, and two maids took Tess into her room to bathe and comb and scent and polish her, until she wondered how the rest of the world got on without hando she had never had a personal attendant since her nurse Swiftly the luxurious habit grows; she rather hoped her husband h to provide her a ht and trouble and attention she stood arrayed at last as no more than a maid herself--true, a maid of royalty; but very siht sandals on her stockinged feet, and with a plain veil hanging to below her knees--all creamy white
She adlass, and wished that dick could see her so, not guessing how soon dick would see her far eously arrayed
Yasmini, when she came into the room, was a picture to take the breath away,--a rhapsody in creaeirdle, bosom, ears, arms; a ruby like a prince's ransom nestled at her throat; there were emeralds and sapphires stitched to the soft texture of her dress to glow and glitter as she ht
Coil on coil of huge pearls hung from her shoulders to her waist, and pearls were on her sandals
”Child, where in heaven's naet them all?” Tess burst out
”These? These jewels? Soifts of Rajput noblemen
Some are heirlooms lent for the occasion This--and this” she touched the ruby at her throat and a diaave entlemen But you should wear jewels, too”
”I have none--none with ht of that I borrowed these for you”
With her own hands she put opals around Tess's neck that glowed as if they were alive, and then bracelets on her right arold; then kissed her
”You look lovely! I shall need you tonight! No other huuesses how I need you! You and Hasamurti are to stand close to me until the end
The other maids will take their place behind us Noe are ready Co, and low gruff voices announced the presence of about fifty hed; and there was another footfall, padded and heavy, in aht was hot, and full of thatdrea from the dust kicked up by a crowd, and perhaps, too, as a concession to the none-so-ancient, but co custom that bids women be covered in the streets
Yasmini took Tess by the hand and walked out with her, followed closely by Hasaate in the garden wall Froh, she stood alone and never touched hand, or sought as lances of her woht
A watchh a double line of Rajput noblemen, who drew their sabers at some one's hoarse command and made a steel arch overhead that flashed and shi+ht Beyond that one order to draw sabers none spoke a word Tess looked straight in front of her, afraid to meet the warrior eyes on either hand, lest soner in their hts
In the road were three great elephants standing in line with ladders leaning against theolden caps and chains on his glistening ivory, and a howdah on his back like a ray enerations, and nity than years
Yasmini mounted him, followed by Tess and Hasamurti, who took their place behind her in the howdah, one on either side, Hasa Tess into her proper place, after which her duty was to keep a royal fan of ostrich plu in the air above Yasmini's head
The other women climbed on to the elephant behind, and the third one was e by the jewels glittering in his turban
”His brother!” Hasaain a hoarse command broke on the stillness Horses wheeled out froentry mounted Ten of thele line on either hand, and ten brought up the rear Men with torches walked outside the lines But no one shouted No one spoke
Straight down the quiet road under the ht, chattering nervously aht near the lane Yasht before, and on toward the shadowy bulk of the great house in the distance the elephant trod loftily, the swing and sway of his back suggesting ages of past history, and ever-lasting ages more to come The horses kicked and squealed, for the Rajput loves adisturbed the elephant's slow, measured stride, or moved the equanimity of his mahout