Page:The Great Secret.djvu/131

Rh Her older companions were also beautiful, with their regular features and graceful forms, but they were tawny in their complexions and glowing like burnished copper, with lustrous brown eyes, smiling red lips, and thick black tresses, the girls' being of a lighter tint than were the young men, yet all wore the same placid air of grave content.

They carried in their hands lighted lamps made from gold or new brass of a peculiar shape somewhat Greek-like, and as the warm fumes floated towards the spectators a perfume of violets pervaded the cavern. These lamp-bearers were twenty-four in number, twelve young men and twelve young women. They were simply clad in white robes, which fell in graceful folds about their perfect figures, leaving the arms and feet bare.

It had been bitterly cold before they entered, but now a grateful warmth spread round, like that of a summer day.

Behind these lamp-bearers advanced a woman not older than the others, and evidently of the same race, but so surpassingly beautiful that she drew all eyes upon her. She was tall and queen-like, and although as plainly costumed as were the others, yet it seemed as if a crown of glory rested upon her open brow and dark hair that spread round her shoulders almost to the ground.

Behind her came another band bearing baskets and jars of provisions, fruit, bread of various kinds, with milk, honey and wine.

As they came on, the Anarchists shrank once more to the sides of the cavern with glances of fear and hatred; but Adela, resting on the arm of Philip, as did their friends, looked at them with wondering interest.