A pilgrimage to the temples and tombs of Egypt, Nubia, and ...

SOFIA. 273
which the Eastern dancing-women sometimes
indulge, and which form the most attractive part
of their art in the opinion of their own country-
people.
Accordingly we went to Sofia's residence, and
were shown into a mat-covered room with a long
range of cushions at one side, where a female
attendant brought us Narghiles to smoke, and
a bottle of perfumed oil, which she poured upon
my hands and tried to persuade me to rub over
my face and throat. Presently four young women
arrived, wearing anterees and trousers of
printed calico, and Egyptian Fez caps, orna-
mented with golden Ckoors, their persons bedecked
with ear-rings and bracelets, and rings of gold and
silver in plenty. These were the musicians ; for,
as soon as they had seated themselves on the
floor, a Darabookah was handed to each, and they
commenced chanting their Arab chorusses, and
beating time upon their instruments with the
palm of one hand and the fingers of the other,
which produces the effect of base and treble.
After a lapse of twenty minutes, the nymph
herself entered, quite in a theatrical manner, en-
veloped from head to foot in a large dark mantle,
which she threw aside, and gracefully saluted
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