第4章

"YouwereTatho’scaptain？"

"Andamstill。Tatho’sfleetwassentbyDasonandhisfriendstothesea—floor，andsowetookthisstinkinggalleytofinishthevoyagein，seeingthatitwastheonlycraftleftafloat。"

Theport—captainwasrovinghiseyeoverthegroupofuswhostoodontheafter—deck。"Ifearme，captain，thatyou’llhavebutadangerousreception。IdonotseemyLordDeucalion。Ordoeshecomewithsomeothernavy？Gods，captain，ifyouhavelethimgetkilledwhilstunderyourcharge，theEmpresswillhavetheskintornslowlyoffyouliving。"

"WhatwithPhoreniceandTathobothsocuriousforhiswelfare，"saidTob，"myLordDeucalionseemsbutadangerouspassenger。ButIshallsavemyhidethisvoyage。"Hejerkedatmewithhisthumb。"He’stheretoputinawordformehimself。"

Theport—captainstaredforamoment，asifunbelieving，andthen，asthoughsatisfied，madeobeisancelikeafellowwellusedtoceremonial。"Itrustmylord，inhisinfinitestrength，willpardonmysininnotknowinghimbyhisnoblenessbefore。Buttruthtotell，Ihadlookedtoseemylordmoresuitablyapparelled。"

"Pish，"Isaid;"ifIchoosetodresssimply，Icannotobjecttobeingmistakenforasimpleman。Itisnotmypleasuretoadvertisemyqualitybythegaudsonmygarb。Ifyouthinkamendsareduetome，Iprayofyourcharitythatthisinquisitionmayend。"

Thefellowwasallbowsandobsequiousness。"Iamthehumblestofmylord’sservants，"hesaid。"Itwillbemyexceedinghonourtopilotmylord’sgalleyintotheberthappointedinharbour。"

Theboatshotahead，andourgalley—slavesswungintostrokeagain。Tobwatchedmewithadrysmileashestooddirectingthemenatthehelms。

"Well，"Isaid，humouringhiswhim，"whatisit？"

"I’mthinking，"saidTob，"thatmyLordDeucalionwillremembermeonlyasaveryrudefellowwhenhestepsashoreamongstallthisfinegentility。"

"Youdon’tthink，"saidI，"anythingofthekind。"

"ThenImustprovemyrefinement，"saidTob，"andnotcontradict。"Hepickedupmyhandinhishuge，hardfist，andpressedit。"BytheGods，Deucalion，youmaybeagreatprince，butI’veonlyknownyouasaman。You’rethefinestfighterofbeastsandmenthatwalksthisworldto—day，andIloveyouforit。

Thatspear—strokeofyoursonthelizardisathingthesingersinthetavernsshallmakechauntsabout。"

Wedrewrapidlyintotheharbour，thesoldiersintheentrancecastleblowingtheirtrumpetsinwelcomeaswepassedbetweenthem。

Thecaptainoftheporthadrunupmybannertothemastheadofhisboat，havingbeenprovidedwithoneapparentlyforthispurposeofannouncement，andfromthequays，acrossthevastbasinoftheharbour，therepresentlycametousthenoisesofmusicians，andthepaleglowofwelcomingfires，dancingunderthesunlight。I

wasalmostawedtothinkthatanEmpressofAtlantishadcometosuchstraitsastofeelaninterestlikethisinanymerereturningsubject。

Itwasclearthatnothingwastobedonebyhalves。Theport—captain’sboatled，andwehadnochoicebuttofollow。Ourgalleywasrunupalongsidetheroyalquayandmooredtoitspostsandringsofgold，allofwhicharesacredtothereigninghouse。

"IfDasoncouldonlyhaveforeseenthishonour，"saidTob，withgrislyjest，"I’msurehe’dhavelaidinasilkenwarptomakefastonthebollardsinsteadofmereplebeianhemp。I’msurethere’dbeafrownonDason’sheadthisminute，ifthesunhadn’tscorcheditstiff。MyLordDeucalion，willyoupickyourwaywithnicenessoverthiscommonshipandtreadonthegenteelcarpetthey’vespreadforyouonthequayyonder？"

Theport—captainheardTob’srudebanterandlookedupwithafaceofhorror，andIremembered，withasmallsigh，thatcolonialfreedomwouldhavenoplacehereinAtlantis。OncemoreImustpreparemyselfforallthedignityofrank，andmakereadytotreadtheformalitiesofvastandgorgeousceremonial。

But，bethesethingshowtheymay，aself—respectingmanmustpreservehisindividualityalso，andthoughIconsentedtoenterapavilionofcrimsoncloth，speciallyerectedtosheltermetilltheEmpressshoulddeigntoarrive，theremycomplaisanceended。Againthematterofclotheswasharpedupon。Thethreegorgeouslycaparisonedchamberlains，whohadinductedmetotheshelter，laidbeforemechangesofraimentbedeckedwitheveryimaginablekindoffrippery，andwouldhavemetransformmyselfintoapopinjayinfashionliketheirown。

Curtlyenough，Irefusedtoaltermygarb，andwhenoneofthemstammeringlyreferredtotheEmpress’stastesIaskedhimwithplainnessifhehadgotanydefinitecommandsonthispaltrymatterfromhermightiness。

Ofcourse，hehadtoconfessthattherewerenone。

UponwhichIretortedthatPhorenicehadcommandedDeucalion，theman，toattendbeforeher，andhadsentnowordofherpleasureastohisoutercasing。

"Thisdress，"Isaid，"suitsmytemperwell。Itshieldsmypoorbodyfromtheheatandthewind，and，moreover，itisclean。

Itseemstome，sirs，"Iadded，"thatyourinterferingsavourssomewhatofanimpertinence。"

Withoneaccordthechamberlainsdrewtheirswordsandpushedthehiltstowardsme。

"Itwouldbeafavour，"saidtheirspokesman，"ifthegreatLordDeucalionwouldtakehisvengeancenow，insteadofdeliveringustothetormentorshereafter。"

"Poof，"Isaid，"thematterisforgotten。Youmaketoomuchofalittle。"

Nevertheless，theiractiongavemesomeenlightenment。Theywereperfectlyinearnestinofferingmetheswords，andI

recognisedthatthiswasadifferentAtlantisthatIhadcomehometo，whereamanhaddreadofthetortureforameredifferenceconcerningthecutofacoat。

Therewasabathinthepavilion，andinthatIregaledmyselfgladly，thoughtherewassomepaltryscentaddedtothewaterthattookawayhalfitsrefreshingpower;andthenIsetmyselftowaitwithalloutwardcomposureandplacidity。Thechamberlainsweretoowell—bredtobreakintomycalm，andIdidnotcondescendtosmalltalk。Sothereweremained，thefourofus，Isitting，theystanding，withourLordtheSunsmitingheavilyonthescarletroofofthepavilion，whilstthemusicblared，andthewelcomingfiresdispersedtheirodoursfromthegreatpavedsquarewithout，whichfaceduponthequay。

Ithasbeensaidthatthegreatshouldalwayscollectdignitybykeepingthoseoflesserdegreewaitingtheirpleasure，thoughformyselfImustsayIhavealwaysthoughtthestratagempaltryandbeneathme。Phorenicealsoseemedofthisopinion，for（assheherselftoldmelater）atthemomentthatTob’sgalleywasreportedashavingitsflankagainstthemarbleoftheroyalquay，atthatprecisemomentdidshestartoutfromthepalace。Thegorgeousprocessionwasalreadymarshalled，bedecked，andwaitingonlyforitschiefestornament，andassoonasshehadmountedtohersteed，trumpetsgavetheorder，andtheadvancebegan。

Sittinginthedoorwayofthepavilion，Isawthesoldierywhoformedtheheadofthisvastconcourseemergefromthegreatbroadstreetwhereitleftthehouses。Theymarchedstraightacrosstogivemethesalute，andthenrangedthemselvesonthefarthersideofthesquare。ThencametheMariners’Guild，thenmoresoldiers，allmakingobeisanceintheirturn，andpassingontomakeroomforothers。Followingwerethemerchants，thetanners，thespear—makersandalltheotheracknowledgedGuilds，deliberatelyattired（soitseemedtome）thattheymightmakeapageant;andwhilstmostwalkedonfoot，thereweresomewhoproudlyrodeonbeastswhichtheyhadtamedintorenderingthemthismenialservice。

Butpresentlycamethetwowondersofallthatdazzlingspectacle。Fromoutoftheeclipseofthehousesthereswungintotheopennolessabeastthanahugebullmammoth。Thesighthadsufficientsurpriseinitalmosttomakemestart。ManyatimeduringmylifehadIledhuntstokillthemammoth，whenaherdofthemhadraidedsomevillageorcornlandundermycharge。Ihadseenthehugebrutesinthewildground，shaggy，horrid，monstrous;

morefiercethaneventhecave—tigerorthecave—bear;mostdangerousbeastofallthatfightwithmanfordominionoftheearth，saveonlyforafewofthegreaterlizards。Andherewasthiscreature，agiantevenamongstmammoths，yettameasanywell—whippedslave，andbearinguponitsbackagreathalf—castleofgold，stampedwiththeoutstretchedhand，andbedeckedwithsilversnakes。Itsmurderoustusksweregilded，itshairyneckwasgarlandedwithflowers，andittrodonintheprocessionasthoughassistingatsuchpageantrywasthebeginningandendofitsexistence。ItstamenessseemedafittingsymbolofthemasterfulstrengthofthisnewrulerofAtlantis。

Simultaneouslywiththemammoth，therecameintosightthatotherandgreaterwonder，themammoth’smistress，theEmpressPhorenice。Thebeasttookmyeyeatthefirst，fromitsveryuncouthhugeness，fromitsshowofsavagepowerrestrained;buttheladywhosatinthegoldenhalf—castleonitsloftybackquicklydrewawaymygaze，andhelditimmovablefromthenonwardswithaninfiniteattraction。

IstoodtomyfeetwhenthepeoplefirstshoutedatPhorenice’sapproach，andremainedintheporchwayofmyscarletpaviliontillhervaststeedhadhaltedinthecentreofthesquare，andthenIadvancedacrossthepavementtowardsher。

"Onyourknees，mylord，"saidoneofthechamberlainsbehindme，inascaredwhisper。

"Atleastwithbenthead，"urgedanother。

ButIhadmyownnotionsofwhatisduetoone’sownself—respectinthesematters，andImarchedacrossthebareopenspacewithheaderect，givingtheEmpressgazeforgaze。Shewasclearlysummingmeup。Iwasfranklydoingthelikebyher。Gods！

butthosefewshortsecondsmademeseeawomansuchasIneverimaginedcouldhavelived。

IknowIhaveplaceditonrecordearlierinthiswritingthat，duringallthedaysofalongofficiallife，womenhavehadnoinfluenceoverme。ButIhavebeenquicktoseethattheyoftenhadastrongswayingpoweroverthepoliciesofothers，andasaconsequenceIhavemadeitmybusinesstostudythemevenasIhavestudiedmen。Butthiswomanwhosatunderthesacredsnakesinhergoldenhalf—castleonthemammoth’sback，fairlybaffledme。OfherthoughtsIcouldreadnosinglesyllable。Icouldseeabodyslight，supple，andbeautifullymoulded;infigurerathersmall。

Herfacewasamostperfectbookofcleverness，yetshewasfair，too，beyondbelief，withhairofalovelyruddiness，cutshortinthenewfashion，andbunchingonhershoulders。Andeyes！Gods！

whocouldplumbthedepthsofPhorenice’seyes，orfindinmeretintatraceoftheirheaven—madecolour？

Itwasplain，also，thatsheinherturnwassearchingmedowntomyverysoul，anditseemedthatherscrutinywasnotwithoutitssatisfaction。ShemovedherheadinlittlenodsasIdrewnear，andwhenIdidtherequisiteobeisancepermittedtomyrank，shebademeinavoiceloudandclearenoughforallathandtohear，nevertoputforeheadonthegroundagainonherbehalfsolongassheruledinAtlantis。

"Forothers，"shesaid，"itisfittingthattheyshoulddoso，once，twice，orseveraltimes，accordingtotheirrankandstation，forIamEmpress，andtheyareallsofarbeneathme;butyouareDeucalion，mylord，andthoughtillto—dayIknewyouonlyfrompicturesdrawnwithtongues，Ihaveseenyounow，andhavejudgedformyself。AndsoImakethisdecree:DeucalionisaboveallothermeninAtlantis，andifthereisonewhodoesnotrenderhimobedience，thatmanisenemyalsoofPhorenice，andshallfeelheranger。"

Shemadeasign，andastairwasbrought，andthenshecalledtome，andImountedandsatbesideherinthegoldenhalf—castleunderthecanopyofroyalsnakes。Thegirlwhostoodbehindinattendancefannedusbothwithperfumedfeathers，andatawordfromPhorenicethemammothwasturned，bearingusbacktowardstheroyalpyramidbythewaythroughwhichithadcome。Atthesametimealsoalltheothermachineryofsplendourwasputinmotion。

Thesoldiersandthegaudilybedeckedciviltradersfellintoprocessionbeforeandbehind，andInotedthatabodyoftroops，heavilyarmed，marchedoneachofthemammoth’sflanks。

Phoreniceturnedtomewithasmile。"Youpiquedme，"shesaid，"atfirst。"

"YourMajestyoverwhelmsmewithsomuchnotice。"

"Youlookedatmysteedbeforeyoulookedatme。Awomanfindsithardtoforgiveaslightlikethat。"

"Ienviedyouthegreatestofyourconquests，anddostill。

Ihavefoughtmammothsmyself，andattimeshavekilled，butI

neverdaredeventothinkoftakingonealiveandbringingitintotameness。"

"Youspeakboldly，"shesaid，stillsmiling，"andyetyoucanturnaprettycompliment。Faugh！Deucalion，thewaythesepeoplefawnonmegivesmeanausea。Iamnotofthesameclayastheyare，Iknow;butjustbecauseIamthedaughterofGodstheymustneedsfeedmeonthepapofinsincerity。"

SoTathowasright，andtheswineherdwasforgotten。Well，ifshechosetokeepupthefictionshehadmade，itwasnotmyparttocontradicther。RightlyorwronglyIwasherservant。

"Ihavebeenpiningthislongenoughforastrongermeatthantheycangive，"shewenton，"andatlastIhavesentforyou。I

havebeenatsomepainstoprocuremytongue—picturesofyou，Deucalion，andthoughyoudonotknowmeyet，ImaysayIknewyouwithallthoroughnessevenbeforewemet。Icanadmireamanwithamindgreatenoughtoforegothesillygaudsofclothes，ortheexcessesoffeasts，orthepamperingsofwomen。"Shelookeddownatherownsilksandherglitteringjewels。"Wewomenliketocarrycoloursuponourpersons，butthatisadifferentmatter。

AndsoIsentforyouheretobemyminister，andbearwithmetheburdenofruling。"

"ThereshouldbebettermeninbroadAtlantis。"

"Therearenot，mylord，andIwhoknowthemallbyhearttellyouso。Theyareallenamouredofmypoorperson;theywearymewiththeiremptyphrasesandtheirimportunities;and，thoughtheyarealwaysbrimmingwiththeircriesofservice，theirownadvancementandthefillingoftheirowntreasuriesevercomesfirstwiththem。SoIhavesentforyou，Deucalion，theonestrongmaninalltheworld。Youatleastwillnotsightobemylover？"

Isawherwatchingformyanswerfromthecornerofhereyes。

"TheEmpress，"Isaid，"ismymistress，andIwillbeanhonestministertoher。WithPhorenice，thewoman，itislikelythatI

shallhavelittleenoughtodo。Besides，Iamnotthesortthatsportswiththistoytheycalllove。"

"Andyetyouareapersonablemanenough，"shesaidratherthoughtfully。"Butthatstillfurtherprovesyourstrength，Deucalion。Youatleastwillnotloseyourheadthroughweakinfatuationformypoorlooksandgraces。"——Sheturnedtothegirlwhostoodbehindus。——"Ylga，fannotsoviolently。"

Ourtalkbrokeoffthenforthemoment，andIhadtimetolookaboutme。Wewerepassingthroughthechiefstreetinthefairest，themostwonderfulcitythisworldhaseverseen。Ihadleftitascoreofyearsbefore，andwascurioustonoteitsincrease。

Inpublicbuildingsthecityhadcertainlymadegrowth;therewerenewtemples，newpyramids，newpalaces，andstatuaryeverywhere。Itsgreatnessandmagnificenceimpressedmemorestronglyeventhanusual，returningtoitasIdidfromsuchadistanceoftimeandspace，for，thoughthemanycitiesofYucatanmighteachofthembeprincely，thisgreatcapitalwasaplacenottobecomparedwithanyofthem。Itwasimperialandgorgeousbeyonddescriptivewords。

YetmostofallwasIstruckbythepovertyandsqualorwhichstoodinsuchclosetouchwithallthismagnificence。Inthethrongsthatlinedthestreetsthereweregauntbodiesandhungryfaceseverywhere。Hereandtherestoodone，amanorawoman，asnakedasasavageinEurope，andyetdulltoshame。Eventhetrader，withtrumperygaudsonhiscoat，apingtheprevailingfashionfordisplay，hadascared，uneasylooktohisface，asthoughhehadforgottenthemerenameofsafety，andhidafranticheartwithhistawdryoutwardvauntingsofprosperity。

Phorenicereadthedirectionofmylooks。

"Theseason，"shesaid，"hasbeenunhealthyofrecentmonths。

Theselowerpeoplewillnotbuildfinehousestoadornmycity，andbecausetheychoosetoliveonintheirsqualid，unsightlykennels，therehavebeencalenturesandothersicknessesamongstthem，whichmakethemdisinclinedforwork。Andthen，too，forthemoment，earningisnoteasy。Indeed，youmaysaytradeisnearlystoppedthislasthalf—year，sincetherebelshavebeenhammeringsolustilyatmycitygates。"

Iwasfairlystartledoutofmydecorum。

"Rebels！"Icried。"WhoarehammeringatthegatesofAtlantis？Isthecityinastateofsiege？"

"Oftheircondescension，"saidPhorenicelightly，"theyaregivingusholidayto—day，andso，happily，mywelcometoyoucomesundisturbed。Iftheywerefighting，yourearswouldhavetoldyouofit。Togivethemtheirdue，theyarenoisyenoughinalltheirefforts。Myspiessaytheyaremakingreadynewenginesforuseagainstthewalls，whichyoumaysallyoutto—morrowandbreakifitgivesyouamusement。Butforto—day，Deucalion，Ihaveyou，andyouhaveme，andthereispeaceroundus，andsomeprettinessofdisplay。IfyouaskformoreIwillgiveityou。"

"Ididnotknowofthisrebellion，"Isaid，"butasYourMajestyhasmademeyourminister，itiswellthatIshouldknowallaboutitsscopeatonce。Thisisamatterweshouldbeseriousupon。"

"AnddoyouthinkIcannottakeitseriouslyalso？"sheretorted。"Ylga，"shesaidtothegirlthatstoodbehind，"setloosemydressattheshoulder。"

Andwhentheattendanthadunlinkedthejewelledclasp（asitseemedtomewithaveryillgrace），sheherselfstrippeddownthefabric，baringthepureskinbeneath，andshowingmejustbelowthecurveoftheleftbreastabandageofbloodstainedlinen。

"Thereisaguaranteeofmyseriousnessyesterday，atanyrate，"shesaid，lookingatmesidelong。"Thearrowstruckonaribandthatsavedme。Ifithadstruckbetween，Deucalionwouldhavebeenstandingbesidemyfuneralpyreto—dayinsteadofridingonthisprettysteedofminewhichheadmiressomuch。Youreyeseemstofeastitselfmostonthemammoth，Deucalion。Ah，poorme。

Iamnotoneofyourshaggycreatures，andsoitseemsIshallneverbeabletocatchyourregard。Ylga，"shesaidtothegirlbehind，"youmaylinkmydressupagainwithitsclasp。MyLordDeucalionhasseenwoundsbefore，andthereisnothingelseheretointeresthim。"

5。ZAEMON’SCURSE

ItappearedthatforthepresentatanyrateIwastohavemyresidenceintheroyalpyramid。Theglitteringcavalcadedrewupinthegreatpavedsquarewhichliesbeforethebuilding，andmasseditselfingroups。Themammothwashaltedbeforethedoorway，andwhenastairhadbeenbrought，thetrumpetssounded，andwethreewhohadriddeninthegoldenhalf—castleunderthecanopyofsnakes，descendedtotheground。

Itwasplainthatweweregoingfrombeneaththeopenskytotheapartmentswhichlayinsidethevaststonemazesofthepyramid，andwithoutthinking，theinstinctofcustomandreverencethathadbecomepartofmynaturecausedmetoturntowherethetoweringrocksoftheSacredMountainfrownedabovethecity，andmaketheusualobeisance，andofferupinsilencetheprescribedprayer。IsayIdidthisthingunthinking，andasamatterofcommoncustom，butwhenIrosetomyfeet，IcouldhaveswornI

heardatitteroflaughterfromsomewhereinthatfancifullybedeckedcrowdofonlookers。

Iglancedinthedirectionofthescoffers，frowninglyenough，andthenIturnedtoPhorenicetodemandtheirpromptpunishmentforthedisrespect。Butherewasastrangething。Ihadlookedtoseeherintheactandarticleofrisingfromanobeisance;butthereshewas，standingerect，andhadclearlynevertouchedherforeheadtotheground。Moreover，shewasregardingmewithaqueerlookwhichIcouldnotfathom。

Butwhateverwasinhermind，shehadnoplantobawlaboutitthenbeforethepeoplecollectedinthesquare。Shesaidtome，"Come，"and，turningtothedoorway，criedforentrance，givingthesecretwordappointedfortheday。Theponderousstoneblocks，whichbarredtheporch，swungbackontheirhinges，andwithstatelytreadshepassedoutofthehotsunshineintothecoolgloombeyond，withthefan—girlfollowingdecorouslyatherheels。

Withaheavinessbeginningtogrowatmyheart，Itoowentinsidethepyramid，andthestonedoors，withasullenthud，closedbehindus。

Wedidnotgofarjustthen。Phorenicehaltedinthehallofwaiting。HowwellIrememberedtheplace，withthepicturesofkingsonitsredwalls，andtheburningfountainofearth—breathwhichblazedfromajetofbronzeinthemiddleoftheflooringandgaveitlight。TheoldKingthatwasgonehadcomethisfarofhiscomplaisancewhenhebademefarewellasIsetouttwentyyearsbeforeformyvice—royaltyinYucatan。Buttheairofthehallwasdifferenttowhatithadbeeninthoseolddays。Thenitwaspureandsweet。Nowitwasheavywithsomescent，andIfounditlanguidandoppressive。

"Myminister，"saidtheEmpress，"Iacquityouofintentionalinsult;butIthinkthecolonialairhasmadeyouaverysimpleman。SuchanobeisanceasyoushowedtothatmountainnotaminutesincehasnotbeenmadesinceIwassenttoreignoverthiskingdom。"

"YourMajesty，"Isaid，"IamamemberofthePriests’Clanandwasbroughtupintheirtenets。Ihavebeentaught，beforeenteringahouse，tothanktheGods，andmoreespeciallyourLordtheSun，forthegoodairthatHeandTheyhaveprovided。Ithasbeenmyfatemorethanoncetobechasedbystreamsoffireandstinkingairamongstthemountainsduringoneoftheirsuddenboils，andsoIcansaytheprescribedprayeruponthismatterstraightfrommyheart。"

"CircumstanceshavechangedsinceyouleftAtlantis，"saidPhorenice，"andwhenthanksaregivennow，theyarenotthrownatthoseoldGods。"

Isawhermeaning，andalmoststartedattheimpietyofit。

Ifthiswastobethenewruleofthings，Iwouldhavenohandinit。Fatemightdealwithmeasitchose。Toservetrulyareigningmonarch，thatIwaspreparedfor;buttopalterwithsacrilege，andacceptaswineherd’sdaughterasaGod，whoshouldreceiveprayersandobeisances，revoltedmymanhood。SoIinvitedacrisis。

"Phorenice，"Isaid，"Ihavebeenapriestfrommychildhoodup，reveringtheGods，andgrowingintimatewiththeirmysteries。

TillIfindformyselfthatthoseoldthingsarefalse，Imuststandbythatallegiance，andifthereisacostforthisfaithfulnessImustpayit。"

Shelookedatmewithaslowsmile。"Youareastrongman，Deucalion，"shesaid。

Ibowed。

"Ihaveheardothersasstubborn，"shesaid，"buttheywereconverted。"Sheshookouttheruddybunchesofherhair，andstoodsothatthelightoftheburningearth—breathmightfallonthelovelinessofherfaceandform。"Ihavefounditaseasytoconvertthestubbornastoburnthem。Indeed，therehasbeenlittletalkofburning。Theyhaveallrushedtoconversion，whetherIwouldorno。Butitseemsthatmypoorlooksandtonguearewantingincharmto—day。"

"PhoreniceisEmpress，"Isaidstolidly，"andIamherservant。To—morrow，ifshegivesmeleave，Iwillclearawaythisrabblewhichclamoursoutsidethewalls。Imustbegintoprovemyuses。"

"Iamtoldyouareaprettyfighter，"saidshe。"Well，Iholdsomesmallskillinarmsmyself，andhaveaconceitthatIamsomethingofajudge。To—morrowwewilltakeatasteofbattletogether。Butto—dayImustcarrythroughthehonourablereceptionIhaveplannedforyou，Deucalion。Thefeastwillbesetreadysoon，andyouwillwishtomakereadyforthefeast。Therearechambershereselectedforyouruse，andstoredwithwhatisneedful。Ylgawillshowyoutheirplaces。"

Wewaited，thefan—girlandI，tillPhorenicehadpassedoutoftheglowofthelight—jet，andhadleftthehallofwaitingthroughadoorwayamongsttheshadowsofitsfartherangle，andthen（thegirltakingalampandleading）wealsothreadedourwaythroughthenarrowmazesofthepyramid。

Everywheretheairwasfullofperfumes，andeverywherethepassagesturnedandtwistedanddoubledthroughthesolidstoneofthepyramid，sothatstrangersmighthavespenthours——yes，ordays——insearchbeforetheycametothechambertheydesired。

Therewasafinecunningnessaboutthoseforgottenbuilderswhosetupthisroyalpyramid。Theyhadnomindthatkingsshouldfallbythehandofvulgarassassinswhomightcomeinsuddenlyfromoutside。Anditissaidalsothatthekingofthetime，tomakedoublysure，killedallthathadbuiltthepyramid，orseeneventhelayofitsinnerstones。

Butthefan—girlledthewaywiththelampswinginginherhand，asoneaccustomedtothemazes。Hereshedoubled，theresheturned，andhereshestoppedinthemiddleofablankwalltopushastone，whichswungtoletuspass。Andonceshepressedatthecornerofaflagstoneonthefloor，whichreareduptothethrustofherfoot，andshowedusastairsteepandnarrow。Thatwedescended，comingtothefootofaninclinedwaywhichledusupwardagain;andsobydegreeswecameuntothechamberwhichhadbeengivenformyuse。

"Thereisraimentinallthesechestswhichstandbythewalls，"

saidthegirl，"andjewelsandgaudsinthatbronzecoffer。

TheyarePhorenice’sfirstpresents，shebidmesay，andbutasmallearnestofwhatistocome。MyLordDeucalioncandrophissimplicitynow，andfighimselfoutinfinerytosuitthefashion。"

"Girl，"Isaidsharply，"bemoredecorouswithyourtongue，andsparemesuchsmalladvice。"

"IfmyLordDeucalionthinksthisarudeness，hecangiveawordtoPhorenice，andIshallbewhipped。Ifheasksit，Icanbestrippedandscourgedbeforehim。TheEmpresswilldomuchforDeucalionjustnow。"

"Girl，"Isaid，"youarenearertothatwhippingthanyouthinkfor。"

"Ihavegotaname，"sheretorted，lookingatmesullenlyfromunderherblackbrows。"TheycallmeYlga。Youmighthaveheardthataswerodehereonthemammoth，hadyounotbeensowrappedupinPhorenice。"

Igazedathercuriously。"Youhaveneverseenmebefore，"I

said，"andthefirstwordsyouutterarethosethatmightwellbringtroubletoyourself。Thereissomeobjectinallthis。"

Shewentandpushedtothemassivestonethatswunginthedoorwayofthechamber。Thensheputherlittlejewelledfingersonmygarmentanddrewmecarefullyawayfromtheairshaftintothefarthercorner。"IamthedaughterofZaemon，"shesaid，"whomyouknew。"

"Youbringmesomemessagefromhim？"

"HowcouldI？Helivesinthepriests’dwellingsontheMountainyoudidobeisanceto。Ihavenotputeyesonhimthesetwoyears。ButwhenIsawyoufirststepoutfromthatredpaviliontheyhadpitchedattheharbourside，I——Ifeltapityforyou，Deucalion。Irememberedyouweremyfather’s，Zaemon’s，friend，andIknewwhatPhorenicehadinstore。Shehasbeenplottingitallthesetwomonths。"

"IcannothearwordsagainsttheEmpress。"

"Andyet——"

"What？"

Shestampedhersandaluponthestoneofthefloor。"Youmustbeaveryblindman，Deucalion，oraverydaringone。ButIshallnotinterferefurther;atleastnotnow。Still，Ishallwatch，andifatanytimeyouseemtowantafriendIwilltryandserveyou。"

"Ithankyouforyourfriendship。"

"Youseemtotakeitlightlyenough。Why，sir，evennowIdonotbelieveyouknowmypower，anymorethanyouguessmymotive。