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22 THE HOUSE GUESTS OF THE LADY FLORENCE; THE VENGEANCE OF THE LADY FLORENCE; I AM GIVEN A SLAVE TO SPORT KITH
"I do not know how I can ever thank you, Lady Florence," breathed the Lady Melpomene.
"It is nothing," said the Lady Florence, "for we are sharers of a Home Stone and are, too, fast friends."
"How I regret our former differences," said the Lady Melpomene, clasping in her two hands those of the Lady Florence.
The Lady Florence nodded, her features visible behind the light house veil, suitable for an informal di
I stood with Ke
"When these papers are signed," said the Lady Melpomene, happily, lifting some papers from the table in front of her, "I shall be free of my debts."
There was polite applause, the striking of the left shoulder, from those at the tables, including the Lady Florence.
"And all this I awe to my dear friend," said the Lady Melpomene, "the Lady Florence!"
There was again light applause, but this time, the Lady Florence, being the object of the commendation, merely bowed her head graciously.
"I lift my wine to the Lady Florence of Vonda!" said the Lady Melpomene.
"We lift our wine to the Lady Florence of Vonda," said the guests.
All then drank, save the Lady Florence, who, smiling, did not lift her cup. Free women, drinking, commonly lift their veil, or veils, with the left hand. Low-caste free women, if veiled, usually do the same. Sometimes, however, particularly if in public, they will drink through their veil, or veils. Sometimes, of course, free women will drink unveiled, even with guests. Much depends on how well the individuals are known, and who is present. In their homes, of course, with only members of their families present, or servants and slaves, most free women do not veil themselves, even those of high caste.
"I thank you, citizens of Vonda and others, friends, all," said the Lady Florence. "And now I, in turn, lift my cup."
All lifted their cups, save the Lady Melpomene.
"I lift my cup," said the Lady Florence, "to the beautiful Lady Melpomene of Vonda, who is beautiful enough even to wear the collar of a slave!"
There was laughter at this bold toast, and the Lady Melpomene, reddening, smiling, put down her head. "Please, Lady Florence," she chided. "There are those here who are not of Vonda." She looked across the tables, across the space between them, to where three men sat, one of Ve
"Fear not, Lady Melpomene," said one of the men, one of Ar, who raised his cup. "I am sure that the toast of the Lady Florence is true in all particulars."
There was again laughter, and all drank, save the Lady Melpomene, who, embarrassed, smiling, was the object of the toast.
Pamela and Bo
I looked about, through the curtain, at the guests of the Lady Florence, other than the Lady Melpomene. The fellow from Ve
"The Lady Melpomene is richly garbed," I noted to Ke
"The garments are those of the Lady Florence," he said.
"I see," I said.
"Even the perfume she wears is that of the Lady Florence," said Ke
"I see," I said.
As we spoke some five musicians entered the room and took their places to one side. There was a czehar player, two flutists, a kalika player, and a player on the kaska, a small hand drum.
Between the tables there was a large, tiled scarlet circle, some twelve feet in width, with an iron ring at its center. "What is the entertainment you have pla
"It is to be a surprise," said the Lady Florence.
"I can hardly wait," said the Lady Melpomene.
"You are so secretive, Florence," laughed the Lady Leta, as though chiding the Lady Florence. Yet from her laugh I through it not unlikely that she knew well what was in store.
Philebus, across the tiled circle, cleared his throat. "Let us conduct our business," he said. "We may then proceed to the amusements of the evening."
"A splendid idea!" said the Lady Florence.
"A splendid idea!" said the Lady Melpomene.
"Before you Lady Melpomene of Vonda," said Philebus, "lie several papers, detailing the consolidation of your debts. These papers are certified by the bank of Bemus in Ve
"I do," said the Lady Melpomene.
"I now," said he, "by my purchased rights, charge you with these debts and demand payment."
"And, thanks to my friend, the Lady Florence, she of Vonda," said the Lady Melpomene, "you shall have your payments, and now. The Lady Florence has graciously agreed to lend me the full amount of the due notes and at no interest."
This seemed to me incredibly generous of the Lady Florence. Ke
"I herewith publicly sign," said the Lady Melpomene, "this loan note, made out to the Lady Florence of Vonda, for the full sum of one thousand, four hundred and twenty tares of gold."
"And I," said the Lady Florence, "herewith publicly sign this draft, marked in the same amount, drawn on the bank of Reginald in Vonda, and properly certified, made out to Philebus of Ve
She handed the draft to the Lady Melpomene. The Lady Melpomene handed her back the loan note. Philebus of Ve