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The Serpent
61
Yania was led to a sumptuous lounging room, Oriental in coloring and furnishing. Yellows and reds predominated. The carpet was golden velvet, upon which was designed gigantic peacocks. There was a subtle odor in the air. She almost swooned at the beauty of it all. Never in her wildest imaginings had she conceived such magnificence. Grand Duke YalonorT smiled and came forward. Yania noted that he was clad in black velvet and looked regal. She gave him the cigarette case with hands that trembled in the fullness of her emotional shock at all this luxury.
"I expected you, lovely child.'' greeted the duke. "Sit down on this divan and rest. Did you walk all the way hither? You are wet to the skin, dear girl ! Have you had any refreshment? No? Then you must.'' He rang a brass gong. Igor hurried in after a lapse of half a minute. '"Bring food and drink at once !" commanded the duke. "And send Matusha here."
^ A woman with Tartar features appeared. "Take this child, Matusha, and make her presentable. Bathe her in asses' milk, perfume her tresses, and clothe her in line garments, for she is my guest to-day."
Yania was about to protest these orders, but the duke was not to be denied. He was the most masterful man she had ever encountered. Matusha put an arm around the girl's waist, and Yania found herself walking as if in a dream. The ceremony of the toilet was in keeping with this wondrous adventure. Softest laces and silks were put on her
body. And even the hard-eyed Matusha exclaimed at her loveliness. As for Yania, she was enchanted with herself.
"Am I really awake?" she kept repeating. "But why all this?"
"It is the barin's whim," Matusha would answer each time, "and you are a lucky girl. Take all you can get, my dear, and keep a still tongue." That was Matusha's philosophy of life in a nutshell.
When the grand' duke saw her, he expressed unbounded delight, and drew her down on the diJg|HjH| van beside him. I^or
had brought some
'Now tell me your
cherished ambition and thy name,' the grand duke said.
cold pheasant breast and wine. Gently, his highness persuaded her to indulge her appetite. Yania was hungry, indeed. But she refused the wine. Her action hurt her kind host. In his compelling way, he broke her resolution not to taste the wine. One sip, two, then a glass of it passed her lips. Yania felt lifted to thrilling heights of pleasure. And his highness proved so human and humorous ! Quite like boon comrades they became. Her tongue prattled on and on. and YalonorT flattered her with .grave attention or light laughter, ac