Page:Lippincotts Monthly Magazine-39.djvu/38

28 and fro like the waving of reeds in the breeze that breathes upon the banks of Indian rivers; her bright eyes sparkled, and the dark membranous hood expanded on either side of her delicate and deadly jaws. Drunk,—drunk she was with the keen intoxication of the thrilling music!

The notes died away; the toumril left the player's lips; and Sâprani sank nerveless on the Indian carpet. Then, with gentle caressing tones, he spoke to her, and drew her towards him with his hands: she yielded herself, obedient and drooping. He lifted her, and laid her softly about his neck; her chilly coils touched his cheek, and her head, drowsy and deadly, hung down upon his forehead. The charmer turned to his visitor, looked in her eyes, and smiled. During this scene she had neither spoken nor moved: she still leaned forward, with clasped hands and gaze intent.

But, as the spell of the incantation subsided, she drew a deep breath, answered his smile, and murmured, "Yes, you have conquered death!"

"You must often have seen stranger sights in India," said he, carefully unwinding the somnolent cobra from his neck. "The masters of the art are there: I am an amateur only, and self-taught."

"Such power cannot be taught," replied the girl. "You were born Sâprani's master, and she recognizes you."

"But I can delegate the power," said the other. "Sâprani is the friend of all who are friends to me."

"Is she my friend?" asked the girl, in a low voice.

'^ That is known to you better than to me," was his reply.

She threw back her silken shawl, and, stretching out her firm round arm, laid her hand unhesitatingly upon Sâprani's folds, as she lay in her master's arms.

But the queen of serpents was not so deep in slumber or in apathy as she seemed. At the touch of that slender hand, a strong quiver ran through her, as a woman might shudder at the contact of something she feared or hated. But with Sâprani to hate was to resent. Swiftly as the eye could follow the movement, her black neck rose, and drew back, and was launched forward again at Sinfire's unprotected bosom.

But swifter yet was the movement of the charmer's hand, which caught the angry cobra just below the head and withheld the fatal stroke. The next moment Sâprani was in her cage, and the screen of glass had slid into its place. Then the charmer returned to his visitor.

She had risen to her feet. As he came towards her, she laughed lightly, but laid her hand over her heart.

"You were not touched?" he asked, quickly.