Read Mémoires d'un Éléphant blanc. English Page 18
CHAPTER XVI
FINE CLOTHES
Alas! Parvati was growing up. She was as beautiful as the Sun, and aspretty as the Moon; but she was no longer the playful child who caredfor nothing so much as to be with me.
She was now a real Princess, and her mother instructed her in all therules of etiquette and the ceremonies of the Court.
Her toilet occupied her a great deal--she, who till now had thoughtnothing of tearing her tunics on any bramble!
As I was privileged in every way and allowed to do as I pleased, Irarely left the neighbourhood of the pavilion in which she lived, andalmost always contrived to keep my Princess in sight, through one orthe other of the large windows, or else on the verandahs embowered inflowers.
It chanced very often in this way that I was permitted to watch-thelabours of the dressing-maids (though I could not see why they took somuch trouble to embellish a beauty which was already so perfect).
The slaves would bring water from the Ganges, in which they bathedParvati; they showered her with "_santal_," and powdered her withsafran, which gave her the appearance of a golden statue. Then theythrew over her a "sari" (which is a thin garment, as light as a mist),and she sat down cross-legged on a purple velvet cushion. Then thehairdressers came forward; and her hair, which was as dark and shiningas a river of night, was divided into two portions and combed, andperfumed, and ornamented with pearls and jasmine flowers. Next theystained the palms of her hands and the soles of her feet a beautifulreddish orange-colour with "_mendhi_"; she nibbled a bit of "_betel_"to darken the colour of her gums; her long eyes and thick eyebrows wereblackened with "_surmeh_," and her rosy lips were tinted blue with"_missi";_ on her ankles were fastened little bells attached to goldenrings; a golden girdle encircled her waist, and they loaded her neckand arms with necklaces and bracelets.
Arrayed in this way I could hardly recognize her; she seemed somajestic, so dignified--so different from herself, that it saddened mea little with the feeling that she was growing away from me.
And now when we went out she was no longer reclining in the basketagainst my heart; she was mounted on my back, installed in a sumptuous"howdah" with double bell-towers of gold and curtains of pale greensilk.
Still she would not permit a servant to accompany us, nor any of hersuite. Freedom, and my companionship were still what she liked best.
"Do you know, Iravata," said she, "when my slight form is carriedby your colossal strength, I feel as if I were a Goddess! I feelinaccessible, like the blue God Vichnu, and invincible, like the heroRama! I seem made so great by thy power, and devotion, and courage,that my pride is exalted, and I feel as if on a throne--like theprimitive Lotus that supports Brahmah. But when I dismount howhumiliated I feel at being only a poor little princess, obliged to walkon the ground!"
On hearing this I was so pleased that I had to shuffle my feet, flap myears, and utter little grunts of satisfaction!
We no longer strolled about the city, frequenting the public places,and the fountains, as in the old times. I promenaded the streets with asolemn dignified step; but, once outside of the city gates, I quickenedmy pace and sought the Forest.