.

Jack was fascinated with the wonderful sight now presented to his
view. He, alone, among the party, had never seen such a spectacle
before, and he looked on with the deepest interest. He was seated on a
heap of cushions, before a wide open space surrounded by thickets of
low trees and tall bushes. On the branches of these were hung
innumerable coloured lamps, which lighted the scene with a soft,
bright radiance.

In the centre of the space were ranged sixty dancing girls, in ten
rows of six in a row, and each dancer stood at an equal distance from
her next neighbour on either hand. Each girl was dressed in beautiful
silks of the most glowing, or the most delicate shades. Her short
embroidered jacket, her tightly folded skirt, were of the brightest
and newest, and her hair was decked with beautiful flowers.

The dance began, and the graceful swaying movements, to which the
clink of the bangles worn in rows on every arm kept time, were full of
fascination and charm. All round the open space the villagers from far
and near were gathered, and this mass of spectators in strange garbs,
but everything of the freshest and gayest, formed a striking setting
for the scene.

When the dance was over, the headman, through Me Dain, begged them to
inspect the pagoda and the offerings which had been brought to it by
the faithful. They went and saw a very quaint and beautiful structure,
its columns inlaid with mosaics and coloured glass which glittered
with a thousand glancing rays in the lights of the myriads of lamps.
Chief among the offerings at the shrine were huge packets of
gold-leaf, for the religious Burman loves to decorate his favourite
pagoda with sheets of gold-leaf, till it glistens in the sun like a
palace of gold.

Among the offerings ranged on the steps of the pagoda was a native
painting, a quaint piece of work which drew Jack's attention at once.
He bent down to look at it, while his companions rambled on with Me
Dain and the headman.

As Jack straightened himself again, he felt a light touch on his arm,
and looked round. Beside him stood a dancing girl, wrapped in a
close-fitting robe of yellow silk, and a scarf of muslin so wound
about her head that he could not see her face.

Jack stared for a moment in surprise, wondering what the girl could
want with him, then he gave a great start as she began to speak. She
used the softest, gentlest whisper, but her voice came easily to his
ears, and, marvellous to r