Дни грёз

           Theshortintervalwasended:theband,withlong-drawnchords,soundedapreludetouchedwithsignificance;andtheprogramme,inlettersovertoppingtheirfellows,proclaimedZephyrine,theBrideoftheDesert,inherunequalledbarebackequestrianinterlude.SosatedwasIalreadywithbeautyandwithwit,thatIhardlydaredhopeforafreshemotion.Yethertitlewastingedwithromance,andCoralie’sdisplayhadarousedinmeaninterestinhersexwhichevenherselfhadfailedtosatisfyentirely.

           Brayedinbytrumpets,Zephyrineswungpassionatelyintothearena.Withaboundshestooderect,onefootuponeachofhersupple,plungingArabs;andatonceIknewthatmyfatewassealed,mychapterclosed,andtheBrideoftheDesertwastheonebrideforme.Blackwasherraiment,greatsilverstarsshonethroughit,caughtintheduskytwilightofhergauze;blackasherownhairwerethetwomightysteedsshebestrode.Inatempesttheythunderedby,inawhirlwind,asciroccooftan;hercheeksborethekissofanEasternsun,andthesand-stormsofhernativedesertwerehersatellites.WhatwasCoralie,withherpinksilk,hergoldenhairandslenderlimbs,besidethismagnificent,full-figuredCleopatra?Inatwinklingwewerescouringthedesert—sheandIandthetwocoal-blackhorses.Sidebyside,keepingpaceinourswinginggallop,wedistancedtheostrich,weoutstrodethezebra;and,aswewent,itseemedthewildernessblossomedliketherose.

           Iknownotrightlyhowwegothomethatevening.Ontheroadtherewereeverywherestrangepresences,andthethudofphantomhoofsencircledus