the stingings of scorpions

Nevertheless, there she was — dressed out in white satin, with a red velvet toque, and a bird-of-paradise feather, several strings of pearls set off to the greatest advantage by the white and yellow skin of her camelopardine neck, and a pair of diamond bracelets hanging loose upon either skinny arm.

Some context is required. Moldova were weak at the back and blunt up front, and have failed to score in six matches stretching back to last October, with only hints at English complacency offering them glimpses of summoning a riposte.

I'll take the sacrament on 't.