Twirled the swift waltz to La Poupée’s “Selection.”
And on, past couples gossiping sedately;
And on, past couples screened against detection;
To a dim-shaded, fairy-lighted alcove,
Fit haunt for single maid and single tall cove:—
Such as—in land of Taj Mahal and mugger,
Where girls book weeks ahead their supper dances—
Screens some pale flirt, some lad who yearns to hug her,
From the brown khitmatghar’s averted glances.
(Who knows thy secrets, darkling Kala-juggah—