Alexina followed in the same stealthy fashion,
feeling no older at the moment than her niece. The verandah did not extend
as far as the music room, which had been built a generation later, and the
windows were some eight feet from the ground. A ladder, however, abridged
the distance, and Alexina, obeying a gesture from Joan, climbed as hastily
as her narrow skirt would permit and peered through the outside shutters,
which had been carefully closed.
The room was not dark, however. The electricity had been turned on and
shone down upon an amazing sight.
Clad in black bloomers and stockings lay a row of six women flat on the
floor, while in front of them stood a woman thin to emaciation, who was
evidently talking rapidly. Alexina's mouth opened as widely as her eyes.
She had heard of Devil Worship, of strange and awful rites that took place
at midnight in wickedest Paris. Had an expurgated edition been brought to
chaste Alta--plus Menlo--plus Atherton, by Mrs. Hunter or Mrs. Thornton, or
any of those fortunate Californians who visited the headquarters of fashion
and sin once a year? They would do a good deal to vary the monotony of
life. But that they should have corrupted Maria...the impeccable, the
superior, the unreorientable Maria! Maria, with whom contentment
and conservatism were the first articles of the domestic and the
socio-religious creed!
For there lay Maria, extended full length; and on her calm white face was
a look of unholy joy.
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