Slowly, step by step, I went down the stairs
with her and her hair beat from time to time against my cheek and her
foot sought support against my knee. I trembled under the beautiful
burden I was carrying, and every moment it seemed as if I had to
break down beneath it.
The bath consisted of a wide, high rotunda, which received a soft
quiet light from a red glass cupola above. Two palms extended their
broad leaves like a roof over a couch of velvet cushions. From here
steps covered with Turkish rugs led to the white marble basin which
occupied the center.
"There is a green ribbon on my toilet-table upstairs," said Wanda,
as I let her down on the couch, "go get it, and also bring the whip."
I flew upstairs and back again, and kneeling put both in my
mistress's hands. She then had me twist her heavy electric hair into
a large knot which I fastened with the green ribbon. Then I prepared
the bath. I did this very awkwardly because my hands and feet refused
to obey me. Again and again I had to look at the beautiful woman
lying on the red velvet cushions, and from time to time her wonderful
body gleamed here and there beneath the furs. Some magnetic power
stronger than my will compelled me to look. I felt that all
sensuality and lustfulness lies in that which is half-concealed or
intentionally disclosed; and the truth of this I recognized even more
acutely, when the basin at last was full, and Wanda threw off the fur-
cloak with a single gesture, and stood before me like the goddess in
the Tribuna.
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