She had been working herself up for the performance.
And now it began in earnest.
A strong eunuch stood guard over a big basket.
Lotus Flower stooped down, lifted the cover, thrust in her arms, and drew out a large cobra.
The cobra wriggled and writhed in her clutch.
The tom-toms started again.
And the pipes.
At first, Lotus Flower held the cobra far from her.
Then a little closer.
And at last, she placed it upon her body.