Adventures During a Journey Overland to India (Volume 2); By Way of Egypt, Syria, and the Holy Land (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1836. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIV. iviy hostess.--Her coquetry.--Successful stratagem.--The lady's beauty.--Visit to the Governor.--An Eastern Dandy.--Curiosity excited by my appearance in Hillah.--Dates.--Banks of the river.--A storm.--Nightly persecution.--My host's kindness.--Population of Hillah.--The Mujillibie.--El Kasr.--An adventure.--Confidence in Arab honour.--Opportune arrival of my Guide. When I entered my host's door, his wife was cooking in the court with her face uncovered. I was on the point of having my curiosity gratified, when, screaming as if I had been a demon, she whisked suddenly round, and, till an old crone brought her a cloak, remained with her back to the door; while I, who know enough now of the manners of the East never to venture beyond a furtive glance, stood as if the Veiled Prophet himself had bared his fatal brow. When her charms were sufficiently secure, I HER COQUETRY. 207 retired to the recess I had occupied on my first arrival, determined to sit there and play at bopeep with the muffled beauty for the rest of the day. I had ample opportunity of detecting her love of admiration in the little she could display of her graces. She was as accomplished a coquette as ever shot a glance through a veil, and I sat in my corner with the serenity of a bashaw while she played her little airs before me. Her hands and feet were the prettiest possible, and were most delicately tinged with pink, and burthened with rings and bracelets innumerable. The elaborate grace of her action whenever she moved was evidently for my advantage. Of all women in the world, those of the East understand best how arms should be moved; every position of the arm is a study: but I was too intent upon a plan for seeing her face, to benefit so much by her exertions as I should oth...