As she stood backed by the soft embroideries of the curtain, the delicate outline of her still childish figure barely concealed by the silver tinsel veil Umm Kulsum had thrown over her in laughter at her utter nakedness as she had scrambled out of the bath, she showed at once innocent, yet full of guile. There was not one false note in the harmony of her beauty. The cupid's bow of her mouth was curved into a mischievous smile as she looked at her mother half-jibingly, and at Aunt Rosebody half-defiantly.
"Oh! my heart! Oh! what words!" gasped the former, having recourse to her vinaigrette, while the latter looked at her nodding her moonshiny head.
"So!" she said; "So, Azîzan! That lets the cat out of the cupboard!"
But there was no time for more, since through the upheld curtain trooped the bevy of bathers followed by their maids. Then arose such a chatter as to places and pillows, such giggles, such laughter, waxing loudest round Umm Kulsum who, ready dressed, caught the silver tissued maid-ling about the waist, and danced round with her, whirling through the room, feet flying, hair floating, until--quite breathless--she pulled her partner down right on Aunt Rosebody's rug.
The little old lady looked at the perfectly bewitching face, and a smile quivered about her mouth.
"What about the Prince Salîm, child?" she asked accusingly. "What about him?"
Mihr-un-nissa looked arch in return and positively made a moue of uncontrollable high spirits before she put on an air of immense and demure propriety.
"Nothing, gracious lady! Am I not betrothed to Sher Afkân Khân?"
Bibi Azîzan let loose an absolute shriek.
"Oh! my liver! Ah! ladies! Heard one ever the like? Mihr-un-nissa how darest thou?--it is not true--it is a lie!"