Edward Bulwer-Lytton: The Last Days of Pompeii

BOOK THE THIRD 7. Chapter VII (continued)

'Gently!' said the lady, stamping her small foot violently: 'you pull my hair as if you were plucking up a weed!'

'Dull thing!' continued the directress of the ceremony. 'Do you not know how delicate is your mistress?--you are not dressing the coarse horsehair of the widow Fulvia. Now, then, the riband--that's right. Fair Julia, look in the mirror; saw you ever anything so lovely as yourself?'

When, after innumerable comments, difficulties, and delays, the intricate tower was at length completed, the next preparation was that of giving to the eyes the soft languish, produced by a dark powder applied to the lids and brows; a small patch cut in the form of a crescent, skillfully placed by the rosy lips, attracted attention to their dimples, and to the teeth, to which already every art had been applied in order to heighten the dazzle of their natural whiteness.

To another slave, hitherto idle, was now consigned the charge of arranging the jewels--the ear-rings of pearl (two to each ear)--the massive bracelets of gold--the chain formed of rings of the same metal, to which a talisman cut in crystals was attached--the graceful buckle on the left shoulder, in which was set an exquisite cameo of Psyche--the girdle of purple riband, richly wrought with threads of gold, and clasped by interlacing serpents--and lastly, the various rings, fitted to every joint of the white and slender fingers. The toilet was now arranged according to the last mode of Rome. The fair Julia regarded herself with a last gaze of complacent vanity, and reclining again upon her seat, she bade the youngest of her slaves, in a listless tone, read to her the enamoured couplets of Tibullus. This lecture was still proceeding, when a female slave admitted Nydia into the presence of the lady of the place.

'Salve, Julia!' said the flower-girl, arresting her steps within a few paces from the spot where Julia sat, and crossing her arms upon her breast. 'I have obeyed your commands.'

'You have done well, flower-girl,' answered the lady. 'Approach--you may take a seat.'

One of the slaves placed a stool by Julia, and Nydia seated herself.