Well, even from above and through a muslin screen there was no doubt that she Queen Ranavalona I of Madagascar was female, and no need for stays to make the best of it, either; she stood like an ebony statue as the two wenches began to bathe her from bowls of water. Some vulgar lout grunted lasciviously, and realizing who it was I shrank back a trifle in sudden anxiety that Id been overheard.

Quote