Page:Creole Sketches.djvu/170

140 that he is yet no wiser than he was before.

Behold! the mystery into which we would initiate thee, O reader, is a mystery of bayadères, a mystery of dancing girls "robed only in a fleecy cloud of veils," that mystery of the daughter of Herodias which made the king swear a great oath that he should give her all that she desired, even unto the half of his kingdom.

When thou beholdest the dancing girl coming forth to dance before the bow-curving line of lights; — when thou beholdest her poised in air, shimmering in foamy laces and creamy satin like some splendid insect; — when thine eyes are dazzled by the witchery of her feet so that thou even wishest to be a Herod that thou mightest offer her, not the half, but in sooth the whole of thy kingdom — dost thou not often marvel at the mysteries of