Fair Laurentia did not tell her husband all this simply, and as a matter of fact story. No, no, she was an artiste in the arts of wheedling and seduction. She took her time and knew how to impart to her tale the necessary shades and tints—here and there seeming to hesitate as if modestly disinclined to enter into somewhat questionable details; and then again at the right moment launching out into a freedom of speech which threatened to become impassioned if it did not indeed actually border upon the indecent. And so she managed to finish her story by a glowing description of the ardent Chinaman and the personal charms of lovely Dalima.
Van Gulpendam had first listened to her attentively, her highly coloured narrative had greatly interested him. But—Was it the effect of the drug he had swallowed, or was it an occasional peep into fair Laurentia’s half-open kabaja, or were there other influences at work which made him lose his mental balance? At all events, the man was trembling with excitement when his fair neighbour brought her story to an end with the words:
“MʻBok Kârijâh implored me to lend her my assistance and to exert my influence with Dalima to make her yield to Lim Ho’s ardent passion. As earnest of the man’s gratitude she offered me this.”
Thus saying, Laurentia opened the box and drew forth a magnificent red coral necklace depending from which hung a large rosette of precious stones.
“Look, Gulpie, look!” she cried, triumphantly, “these brilliants alone are worth more than ten thousand guilders,” and as she spoke she threw the necklace over her well-shaped shoulders. The deep red corals showed off splendidly on the soft pearly white skin, while the rich clasp of jewels lay glittering on her heaving bosom.
But van Gulpendam had no eyes for the costly gift. He clasped his fair wife to his breast as he exclaimed beside himself with passion:
“You are lovely, my Laurentia! You are too lovely!”
“The drug, the drug,” cried she, “you see it is the drug! MʻBok Kârijâh has surpassed herself. You see, Gulpie, you see!”
“Yes; darling Laurie,” cried he, in ecstasy. “It must be the stuff. I feel it working in my veins.”
“Indeed, indeed, this is—this is indeed, a lucky day!”