presents:
A woman of some two and thirty summers, formed in the most voluptuous mould of Classical beauty, whose complexion showed every violet vein through its veil of luscious cream. Her little bare feet, as they dimpled the cushions, were more perfect than Aphrodite's, softer than a swan's bosom.
Every swell of her bust and arms showed through the thin gauze robe, while her lower limbs were wrapped in a shawl of white silk, embroidered with wreaths of shells and roses. Her dark hair lay carefully spread out upon the pillow, in a thousand ringlets entwined with gold and jewels;
her languishing eyes blazed like diamonds from a cavern, under eyelids darkened and deepened with black antimony; her lips pouted of themselves, by habit or by nature, into a perpetual kiss; slowly she raised one little lazy hand; slowly the ripe lips opened; and in most pure and melodious voice, she cast everyone into her spell.
Adapted from Hypatia by Charles Kingsley
|
|
|
|
