Page:O Genteel Lady! (1926).pdf/111

 pierced only with a small needle. How could any one have worn them?'

She gathered them up and turned them towards the fire. Her face burned with a childish wonder and the light from the hearth glittered over her sleek, blue-black hair. Once again she created the illusion of ancient Persia. A demon stirred within Jones's chest. He bit his lower lip and smiled, partly at the idea that there was a civilized way of cutting holes in flesh for the suspension of baubles, partly in recognition of her brightening beauty.

'Nonsense!'

He pressed close to her. The thick perfume assaulted his nostrils. 'I'll...put them in for you.'

She struggled, cried out twice in agony. The pain was much greater than the original piercing. A drop of blood welled from each lobe and slid upon her neck. She sprang from him and, whirling about, faced him utterly bewildered, pressing her hands to her cruelly burdened ears.

'Why did you do that?' she cried out hotly, all the emotional turmoil of the evening suddenly trembling in her voice.

He stood away from her, his dark face almost angry.

'Now you will never forget me,' he promised.

'Why should I remember you? '

'Because there is a bond between us, Lanice. You feel it as strongly as I, but your training has been so damnable and, Heaven help you, you are such a lady, you will not recognize the fact.'