Next came the salamanders, in parti-colored dresses of flame-red and black, so thickly spangled with mica that in the flaring light they looked as if sparks had been showered over them. Their long black hair was full of diamond powder, and they had red roses and carnations on their heads. The same dainty steps, with the hems of their stiff skirts in their fingers, brought them to the center where they secured a red streamer.
Then came the undines, the water-sprites, dressed in Nile-green gauze liberally trimmed with silver, while their girdles were of silver filigree, shaped like serpents. Their fluffy white hair was crowned with lemon and citron blooms, and agraffes of silver were also worn. They came from the west, and selected a white streamer.
From the north came queer little hunchbacked creatures, wearing conical caps which terminated in sharp points. These gnomes sparkled with mineral wealth, in jeweled bodices and caps, while their skirts were earth-colored gauze, brightened by iridescent sequins and embroideries. These dancers picked up the remaining black streamer.
Slowly the columns began to circle around the pole, going faster and faster until the streamers were wound around it, and as often reversing the process. Forming a square, they began a basket weave, during which time little children ran forth and back to represent the shuttle.
With a grand apotheosis of the seasons, during which each group danced separately, and, finally, all together, they bowed, threw kisses to Kerœcia, and ran off the platform.
A few minutes afterward, each square of marble was occupied by a young woman dressed as a priestess, in long, voluminous robes of pale pink, lavender, blue, and white, with double and single key patterns marked out in black. The necks, the bottoms of the skirts, and the edges of the sleeves were so ornamented. Gold bands coiled around the back part of the head and held the long hair in place. Sandals, having pointed toes curling well up over the foot, and laced together with gold cords, completed their costumes.
The dancers were placed so as to form a representation like the maze of Dædalus, and each whirled separately and at such a rate as to confuse the beholder.
Ildiko took a parti-colored handkerchief and challenged Alcamayn to follow her. The dancers kept up the whirling wherever she was, while the others held their interlaced hands high over their heads and danced in an indescribable labyrinth.
In and out darted Ildiko, with a tantalizing fling of the handkerchief, taxing all Alcamayn’s ingenuity to follow, especially when the spectators sought to mislead him by an incessant clamor of gratuitous advice over and above the hand-clapping. Finally, he succeeded in securing a corner of the square, which he retained, dancing with Ildiko up in front of the pavilion.
As soon as Kerœcia recognized them, the whole group prostrated themselves before her, and then rising simultaneously, executed a serpentine dance, in which all the colors were beautifully blended.