After she had finished her bath, the women had painted the palms of her hands and the soles of her feet with red henna and lacquered her toes and fingernails. They also outlined her eyes with kohl, so that they seemed larger than ever and made her face look very small and fragile in comparison.
They brought her also a heavily jewelled belt to wear round her waist, which hung down the front of her kaftan with a huge tassel made of gold thread.
And lastly the seven veils were brought to her reverently by the Dowager Sultana. These she was to wear over her face so that her husband could then lift them one by one when the Ceremony was over and they were alone in the bridal chamber.
The women would have put the veils on her then and there, but Perdita had protested.
“It is too hot,” she sai
