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take it that what you and I would consider unspeakably exotic entertainments are a daily occurrence in
the gentleman’s enclave. It was first with the sauna and steam, then on to a lounge for brandies and
opium-treated cigars and at one point in the afternoon a gong sounded and we all stood up. An
accomplishment in itself under the circumstances. We went to the dock outside the boathouse and saw
a profusion of women approaching in a sort of gondola, each dressed in a different hue. The most
poetic of colors - deep pinks and purples and golds and that shade which is neither blue nor green,
what do they call it?”
“A boatload of Asian women actually sailed right up to the dock?”
“And they then had to be carried out by these big hulking men who were rowing them. I would
scarcely have believed it if I hadn’t seen it.”
“The Grand Duke Serge was in your party? Did you observe him with any of the women?”
“No, but nor did I notice him showing interest to any of the men. He is a distant fellow. More
of the type who stands and watches, you know.”
Trevor frowned and shook his head as if he was having trouble taking it all in. “The women
had to be carried from the boat?”
“Their feet were bound as children, you know. I saw a few of them taking these little hobbled
steps but for the most part they were carried.”
“A dreadful business.”
“Indeed, “Rayley said. “And I never understood the reason for it, at least not fully, until that
afternoon. They call their feet their lilies, you know, because the bones have been broken and
reformed to curve in the most extraordinary way, rebuilt in such a manner as to emulate…”
“Emulate what? Flowers?”
“Well, you know, Welles.”
“I’m quite certain I do not.”
“Shaped as they are, it creates a…a secondary sort of ingress.”
“Ingress?” Trevor said blankly, gazing toward the shore. Then suddenly the meaning of
Rayley’s words struck him and he startled. “Good God man, are you serious? You saw this?”
“I believe so.”