第5章

Youmaybefirstmaninthiskingdom，butletmetellyouIrankassecondlady。Andremember，womenstandhighinAtlantisnow。

Believeme，myfriendshipisacommoditythathasbeensoughtwithfrequenceandindustry。"

"AndasIsay，Iamgratefulforit。Youseemtothinklittleenoughofmygratitude，Ylga;but，creditme，Ineverhavebestoweditonawomanbefore，andsoyoushouldtreasureitforitsrarity。"

"Well，"shesaid，"mylord，thereisaneducationbeforeyou。"

Sheleftmethen，showingmehowtocallslaveswhenIwishedfortheirhelp，andforafullminuteIstoodwonderingatthewordsI

hadspokentoher。WhowasthedaughterofZaemonthatsheshouldinducemetochangethehabitofalifetime？

Theslavescameatmybidding，andshowedthemselvesanxioustodeckmewithathousandfoolishnessesinthematterofrobesandgauds，and（whatseemedtobethemodernfashionoftheirclass）

holdingoutthevirtuesofascoreofperfumesandunguents。Theirmannerirritatedme。CleanIwasalready，andshaved;myhairwastrim，andmyrobewasunsoiled;and，consideringthesepressingattentionsoftheirssomethingofanimpertinence，Isetthemtobeatoneanotherasapunishment，promisingthatiftheydidnotdoitwiththoroughness，Iwouldhandthemontothebrandertobemarkedwithstripeswhichwouldendure。Itisstrange，butacommonmenialcanoftensurpassevenarebelliousgeneralinpowerofrufflingone。

Ihadseenmanystrangesightsthatday，andundergonemanynewsensations;butofallthethingswhichcametomynotice，Phorenice’smannerofsummoningthegueststoherfeastsurprisedmemost。Nay，itdidmore;itshockedmeprofoundly;andIcannotsaywhetheramazementatherprofanity，orwonderatherpower，wasforthemomentstrongestinmybreast。Isatinmychamberawaitingthesummons，whengradually，growingoutofnothing，asoundfelluponmyearwhichincreasedinvolumewithinfinitelysmallgraduations，tillatlastitbecameaclangingdinwhichhurttheearwithitsfierceness;andthen（Iguessedwhatwascoming）

thewholemassivefabricofthepyramidtrembledandgroanedandshook，asthoughithadbeenmerelyachild’swoodentoybrushedaboutbyastrongman’ssandal。

ItwastheportentservedoutyearlybythechiefsofthePriests’ClanontheSacredMountain，whentheybadealltheworldtakecountoftheirsins。Itwasthesacredreminderthatfromroaring，ragingfire，andfromtheagonyofmonstrousearth—tremors，manhadbeenborn，andthatbythesesameagencieshewouldeventuallybeswallowedup——heandthesinswithinhisbreast。AndheretheEmpresswasprostitutingitssolemnitiesintoamerecalltogluttony，andsignforribaldlaughterandsensuousdisplay。

Buthowhadsheacquiredtheauthoritytodothisthing？Whowasshethatsheshouldtamperwiththosedimlyunderstoodpowers，theforcesthatdwellwithintheliquidheartofourmotherearth？

Hadtherebeentreachery？HadsomememberofthePriests’Clanforgottenhissacredvows，andbabbledtothiswomanmattersconcerningtheholymysteries？OrhadPhorenicediscoveredakeytothesemysterieswithherownagilebrain？

Ifthatlastwasthecase，Icouldcontinuetoserveherwithsilentconscience。Thoughshemightbenoneofmymaking，atleastshewasEmpress，anditwasmydutytogiveherobedience。ButifshehadsubornedsomeweakermemberoftheClanontheSacredMount，thatwouldbeadifferentmatter。Forbeitrememberedthatitwasoneoftheelementsofourconstitutiontopreserveoursecretsandmysteriesinviolate，andtopursuewithundyinghatredboththemanwhohaddaredtobetraythem，andtheunhappyrecipientofhisconfidence。

Itwaswithveryundecidedfeelings，then，thatIobeyedthesummonsoftheearth—shaking，andbadetheslavesleadmethroughthewindingsofthepyramidtothegreatbanqueting—hall。Thescenetherewasdazzling。Themajesticchamberwithitsmarvellouscarvingswasfilledwithacompanydeckedoutwithallthegaudsandcoloursthatfancycouldconceive。Littlereckedtheyofthesolemnportentwhichhadsummonedthemtothemeal，ofthedeathandmiserythatstalkedopenlythroughthecitywardswithout，oftherebelswhichlayinleaguerbeyondthe，walls，oftheneglectedGodsandtheirclanofpriestsontheSacredMountain。Theywereallgluttonousforthepassionsofthemoment;itwastheirfashionandconceittolookatnothingbeyond。

Flamingjetsofearth—breathlitthegreathalltothebrightnessofmidday;andwhenIsteppedoutuponthepavement，trumpetsblared，sothatallmightknowofmycoming。Buttherewasnoroarofwelcome。"Deucalion，"theylispedwithmincingvoices，bowingthemselvesridiculouslytothegroundsothatalltheirornamentsandsilksmightjangleandswish。Indeed，whenPhoreniceherselfappeared，andallsentuptheircriesandmadelawfulobeisance，therewasthesameartificialityinthewelcome。

Theymeantwellenough，itistrue;butthiswasthenewfashion。

Heartinesshadcometobeaccountedabarbarismbythisnewculture。

Apairofposturing，smirkingchamberlainstookmeincharge，andusheredmewiththeirflimsygoldenwandstothedaisatthefartherend。ItappearedthatIwastositonPhorenice’sdivan，andeatmymeatoutofherdish。

"ThereisnostinttothehonourtheEmpressputsuponme，"I

said，asIkneltdownandtookmyseat。

Shegavemeoneofherqueer，sidelonglooks。"Deucalionmayhavemorebeside，ifheasksforitprettily。Hemayhavewhatalltheothermenintheknownworldhavesighedfor，andwhatnoneofthemwilleverget。ButIhavegivenenoughofmyownaccord;hemustaskmewarmlyforthosefurtherfavours。"

"Iask，"Isaid，"first，thatImaysweeptheboundariesclearofthisrabblewhichisclamouringagainstthecitywalls。"

"Pah，"shesaid，andfrowned。"Haveyouappetiteonlyforthesternerpleasuresoflife？MygoodDeucalion，theymusthavebeenrusticfolkinthatcolonyofyours。Well，youshallgivemenewsnowofthetoothsomenessofthisfeast。"

Dishesandgobletswereplacedbeforeus，andwebegantoeat，thoughIhadlittleenoughappetiteforvictualsobrokenandsohighlyspiced。Butifthisfinickingcookeryandtheselusciouswinesdidnotappealtome，theotherdinersinthatgorgeoushallappreciateditalltothefull。Theysataboutingroupsonthepavementbeneaththelight—jetslikeatangleofrainbowsforcolour，andaccordingtothenewcustomtheywentintorapturesandecstasiesovertheirenjoyment。Womenandmenboth，theylingeredovereachtitillationofthepalateasthoughitwereacaressoftheGods。

Phorenice，withherquick，brighteyes，lookedon，andoccasionallyflungoneoranotherafewwordsbetweenhertalkwithme，andnowandagaincalledsomefavouredcreatureuptoreceiveascrapofviandfromtheroyaldish。Thisthehonouredonewouldeatwithextravagantgesture，or（ashappenedtwice）wouldputitawayinthefoldsofhisclothesasatreasuretoodeartobeprofanedbyhumanlips。

Tome，thisflatteryappearedgrossanddisgustful，butPhorenice，throughuse，perhaps，seemedtotakeitasmerelyherdue。Therewas，onehadtosuppose，aweaknessinhersomewhere，thoughtrulytotheoutwardseeingnonewasapparent。Herfacewasstrongenough，anditwassubtlealso，and，moreover，itwaswondrouscomely。Allthecourtiersinthebanqueting—hallravedaboutPhorenice’sfaceandtheotherbeautiesofherbodyandlimbs，andthoughnotgiventoappreciationinthesematters，I

couldnotbutseethathereatleasttheyhadagroundworkfortheiradmiration，forsurelytheGodshaveneverfavouredmortalwomanmorehighly。Yetlovelythoughshemightbe，formyselfI

preferredtolookuponYlga，thegirl，who，becauseofherrank，wasprivilegedtositonthedivanbehindusasimmediateattendant。TherewasanhonestyinYlga’sfacewhichPhorenice’slacked。

Theydidnoteattonutrifytheirbodies，thesefeastersinthebanqueting—halloftheroyalpyramid，buttheyallatetocloythemselves，andtheystruttedforthnewusageswitheveryplatterandbowlthattheslavesbrought。Tomesomeoftheirmannerswerecloselytouchingondisrespect。Atthehalfwayofthemeal，agorgeouspopinjay——hewasagovernorofanout—provincedrivenintothecapitalbyarebellioninhisownlands——thisgorgeousfop，I

say，walkedupbetweenthegroupsoffeasterswithflushedfaceandunsteadygait，anddidobeisancebeforethedivan。"MostastoundingEmpress，"criedhe，"fairestamongtheGoddesses，Queenregnantofmyadoringheart，hail！"

Phorenicewithasmilestretchedhimouthercup。Ilookedtoseehimpourrespectfullibation，butnosuchthing。Hesetthedrinktohislipsanddrainedittothefinaldrop。"Mayallyourtroubles，"hecried，"passfromyouaseasily，andleaveaspleasantaflavour。"

TheEmpressturnedtomewithoneofherquicklooks。"Youdonotlikethisnewhabit？"

TowhichIrepliedbluntlyenoughthattopouroutliquorataperson’sfeethadgrownthroughcustomtobeamarkofrespect，butthatdrinkingitseemedtomemereself—indulgence，whichmightbepractisedanywhere。

"Youstillkeeptotheoldaustereteachings，"shesaid。"Ournewercodebidsusenjoylifefirst，andorderotherthingssoasnottomeddlewithourmoreimmediatepleasure。"

Andsothefeastwenton，theguestspractisingtheirgluttoniesandtheirabsurdities，andtheguardsstandingtotheirarmsroundthecircuitofthewallsasmotionlessandassternasthestatuescarveninthewhitestonebeyondthem。Butatermwasputtotheorgywithsomethingofsuddenness。Therewasastiratthefartherdoorwayofthebanqueting—hall，andaclash，astwooftheguardsjoinedtheirspearsacrosstheentrance。Butthemantheytriedtostop——orperhapsitwastopin——passedthemunharmed，andwalkedupoverthepavementbetweenthelights，andthegroupsoffeasters。Alllookedroundathim;afewthrewhimribaldwords;butnoneventuredtostophisprogress。Afew，womenchiefly，Icouldsee，shudderedashepassedthemby，asthoughawintrychillhadcomeoverthem;andintheendhewalkedupandstoodinfrontofPhorenice’sdivan，andgazedfixedlyonher，butwithoutmakingobeisance。

Hewasafrailoldman，withwhitehairtumblingonhisshoulders，andraggedwhitebeard。Themudofwayfaringhunginclotsonhisfeetandlegs。Hiswizenedbodywasbaresaveforasingleclothwoundabouthisshouldersandhisloins，andhecarriedinhishandawandwiththesymbolofourLordtheSunglowingatitstip。Thatwandwenttoshowhiscaste，butinnootherwaycouldIrecognizehim。

ItookhimforoneofthoseasceticsofthePriests’Clan，whohadforswornthesteadynurturedlifeoftheSacredMountain，andwholivedoutinthedangerouslandsamongsttheburninghills，wherethereisdailyperilfromfallingrocks，fromfirestreams，fromevilvapours，fromsuddenfissuringoftheground，andfromothermovementsofthoseunstableterritories，andfromthegreaterlizardsandothermonstrousbeastswhichhauntthem。ThesekeepconstantinthememorythemightoftheHolyGods，andtheinsecurityofthisfrailearthonwhichwehaveourresting—place，andsothesojournerstherebecomechastenedinthespirit，andgainpowerovermysterieswhicheventhemoststudiousandlearnedofothermencanneverhopetoattain。

Asilencefilledtheroomwhentheoldmancametohishalt，andPhorenicewasthefirsttobreakit。"Thosetwoguards，"shesaid，inherclear，carryingvoice，"whoheldthedoor，arenotequaltotheirwork。Icannothaveimperfectservants;removethem。"

Thesoldiersnextintherankliftedtheirspearsanddrovethemhome，andthetwofellowswhohadadmittedtheoldmanfelltotheground。Oneshriekedonce，theothergavenosound:theywerecleverthrustsboth。

Theoldmanfoundhisvoice，thin，andhigh，andbroken。

"Anothercrimeaddedtoyourtally，Phorenice。NothalfyourarmycouldhavehinderedmyentrancehadIwishedtocome，andletmetellyouthatIamheretobringyouyourlastwarning。TheGodshaveshownyoumuchfavour;theygaveyoumeritbywhichyoucouldriseaboveyourfellows，tillatlastonlythethronestoodaboveyou。ItwasseengoodbythoseontheSacredMountaintoletyouhavethislastambition，andsitonthisthronethathasaslongandhonourablybeenfilledbytheancientkingsofAtlantis。"

TheEmpresssatbackonthedivansmiling。"IseemedtogetthesethingsasIchose，andinspiteofyourfriends’teeth。I

mayowetoyou，oldman，asmallparcelofthanks，thoughthatI

offeredtorepay;butformylordsthepriests，theirpermissionwasofsmallenoughvaluewhenitcame。IwouldhaveyourememberthatIwasasfirmonthethroneofAtlantisasthispyramidstandsuponitsbasewhenyourworn—outpriestscameuptogivetheirtotteringbenediction。"

Theoldmanwavedasideherinterruption。"Hearmeout，"hesaid。"Iamherewithnotrivialmessage。ThereisnothingpaltryaboutthethreatIcanthrowatyou，Phorenice。Withyourfire—tubes，yourhandlingoftroops，andyourotherfiendishclevernesses，youmaynotbeeasytooverthrowbymerehumanmeans，though，forsooth，thesepoorrebelswhoyapagainstyourcitywallshavecontrivedtoholdtheirgroundforlongenoughnow。Itmaybethatyouarebecomingenervated;Idonotknow。Itmaybethatyouaretoowrappedupinyourfeastings，yourdressings，yourpomps，andyourdebaucheries，tofindleisuretoturntotheartofwar。

Itmaybethattheman’sspirithasgoneoutfromyourarmandbrain，andyouareawomanoncemore——weak，andpleasure—loving;

againIdonotknow。

"Butthismusthappen:Youmustundotheevilyouhavedone;

youmustgivebreadtothepeoplewhoarestarving，evenifyoutakeitfromthesegluttonsinthishall;youmustrestoreAtlantistothestateinwhichitwasentrustedtoyou:orelseyoumustberemoved。Itcannotbepermittedthatthecountryshouldsinkbackintothelawlessnessandbarbarismfromwhichitsancientkingshavediggedit。Youhear，Phorenice。Nowgivemetrueanswer。"

"Speakhimfair。Oh！Forthesakeofyourfortune，speakhimfair，"cameYlga’svoiceinahurriedwhisperfrombehindus。ButtheEmpresstooknonoticeofit。Sheleanedforwardonthecushionsofthedivanwithaknitbrow。

"Doyoudaretothreatenme，oldman，knowingwhatIam？"

"Iknowyourorigin，"hesaidgravely，"aswellasyouknowityourself。Asformydaring，thatisasmallmatter。HeneedbebutatimidmanwhodarestosaywordsthattheHighGodsputonhislips。"

"IshallrulethiskingdomasIchoose。Ishallbrookinterferencefromnocreatureonthisearth，orbeneathit，orintheskyabove。TheGodshavechosenmetobeTheirregentinAtlantis，andTheydonotdeposemethroughsuchcreaturesasyou。

Goaway，oldman，andplaythefanaticinanothercourt。ItiswellthatIhaveanancientkindlinessforyou，oryouwouldnotleavethisplaceunharmed。"

"Now，indeed，youarelost，"IheardYlgamurmurfrombehind，andtheoldmaninfrontofusdidnotmoveastep。Instead，helifteduptheSymbolofourLordtheSun，andlaunchedhiscurse。

"YourblasphemygivesthereplyIaskedfor。HearmenowmakedeclarationofwaronbehalfofThoseagainstwhomyouhavethrownyourinsults。YoushallbeoverthrownandsenttothenetherGods。

Atwhatevercostthelandshallbepurgedofyouandyours，andalltheevilthathasbeendonetoitwhilstyouhavesulliedthethroneofitsancientkings。Youwillnotamend，neitherwillyouyieldtamely。Youvauntthatyousitasfirmonyourthroneasthispyramidreposesonitsbase。Seehowlittleyouknowofwhatthefuturecarries。Isaytoyouthat，whilstyouareyetEmpress，youshallseethisroyalpyramidwhichyouhavepollutedwithyourdebaucheriestorntierfromtier，andstonefromstone，andscatteredasfeathersspreadbeforeawind。"

"Youmaywreckthepyramid，"saidPhorenicecontemptuously。

"Imyselfhavesomeknowledgeoftheearthforces，asIhaveshownthisnight。Butthoughyoucrumbleeverystoneaboveusnowandgrinditintogritanddust，IshallstillbeEmpress。WhatforcecanyoucrazypriestsbringagainstmethatIcannotthrowbackanddestroy？"

"Wehaveaweaponthatwasforgedinnomortalsmithy，"

shrilledtheoldman，"whereofthekeyisnowlodgedintheArkoftheMysteries。Butthatweaponcanbeusedonlyasalastresource。Thenatureofitevenistooawfultobetoldinwords。

Ourotherpowerswillbelaunchedagainstyoufirst，andforthispoorcountry’ssakeIpraythattheymaycauseyoutowince。Yetrestassured，Phorenice，thatweshallnotstepasideoncewehaveputahandtothismatter。Weshallcarryitthrough，eventhoughthecostbeauniversalburninganddestruction。Forknowthis，daughteroftheswineherd，itisagreedamongstthemostHighGodsthatyouaretoofullofsintocontinueunchecked。"

"Speakhimfairly，"Ylgaurgedfrombehind。"Hehasapoweratwhichyoucannotevenguess。"

TheEmpressmadetorise，butYlgaclungtoherskirt。"Forthesakeofyourfame，"sheurged，"forthesakeofyourlife，donotdefyhim。"ButPhorenicestruckherfiercelyaside，andfacedtheoldmaninatumultofpassion。"Youdarecallmeablasphemer，whoblasphemeyourself？Youdarecastslursuponmybirth，whoamcomedirectfromthemosthighHeaven？Oldman，yourcrazinessprotectsyouinpart，butnotinall。Youshallbewhipped。Doyouhearme？Isay，whipped。Theleanfleshshallbescourgedfromyourscraggybones，andyoushalltotterawayfromthisplaceasaredandbleedingexampleforthosewhowoulddaretraducetheirEmpress。Here，someofyou，Isay，takethatman，andlethimbewhippedwherehestands。"

Hercrywentoutclearlyenough。Butnotasoulamongstthoseglitteringfeastersstirredinhisplace。Notasoldieramongsttheguardssteppedfromhisrank。Theplacewashunginaterriblesilence。Itseemedasthoughnoonewithinthehalldaredsomuchastodrawabreath。Allfeltthattheveryairwasbigwithfate。

Phorenice，withherheadcrouchedforward，lookedfromonegrouptoanother。Herfacewasworking。"HaveInotrueservants，"sheasked，"amongstallyouprettylip—servers？"

Stillnoonemoved。Theystood，orsat，orcrouchedlikepeoplefascinated。Formyself，withthefirstwordshehaduttered，Ihadrecognizedtheoldmanbyhisvoice。ItwasZaemon，theweakgovernorwhohadgiventheEmpressherfirststeptowardspower;thatearnestsearcherintothemysteries，whoknewmoreoftheirpowers，andmoreaboutthehiddenforces，thananyotherdwellerontheSacredMountain，evenatthattimewhenIleftformycolony。Andnow，duringhisstrangehermitlife，howmuchmoremighthenothavelearned？Iwastornbywarringduties。IowedmuchtothePriests’Clan，byreasonofmyoathandmembership;itseemedIowednolesstoPhorenice。And，again，wasZaemonthetrulyaccreditedenvoyofthehighcouncilofthepriestsoftheSacredMountain？AndwastheEmpressofatruthdeposedbytheHighGodsabove，orwasshestillEmpress，andstillthecommanderofmyduty？Icouldnottell，andsoIsatinmyseatawaitingwhattheeventwouldsow。

Phorenice’sfurywasgrowing。"DoIstandalonehere？"shecried。"HaveIpamperedyoucreaturesoutofalltouchwithgratitude？ItseemsthatatlastIwantanewchieftomyguards。

Ho！WhowillbechiefoftheguardsoftheEmpress？"

Therewasashiftingofeyes，ahesitation。Thenagreatburlyformstrodeupfromthefartherendofthehall，andaperceptibleshudderwentupfromalltheothersastheywatchedhim。

"So，Tarca，youprefertotaketherisks，andremainchiefoftheguardyourself？"shesaidwithanangryscoff。"Trulytheredidnotseemtobemanythrustingforwardtostripyouoftheoffice。Ishallhaveafinesortingupofplacesinpaymentforthisnight’swork。Butforthepresent，Tarca，doyourduty。"

Themancameup，obviouslytimorous。Hewasasolidlymadefellow，butnotaltogetherunmartial，andthoughbutlittleofhischeekshowedabovehisdecoratedbeard，Icouldseethathepaledashecameneartothepriest。"Mylord，"hesaidquietly，"Imustaskyoutocomewithme。"

"Standaside，"saidtheoldman，thrustingouttheSymbolinfrontofhim。Icouldseehiseyesgatheronthesoldierandhisbrowsknitwithastrainofwill。

Tarcasawthistoo，andIthoughthewouldhavefallen，butwithanefforthekepthismanhood，anddoggedlyrepeatedhissummons。"Imustobeythecommandofmymistress，andIwouldhaveyouremember，mylord，thatIambutaservant。Youmustcomewithmetothewhip。"

"Iwarnyou！"criedtheoldman。"Standfromoutofmypath，you！"

Itmusthavebeenwiththecourageofdesperationthatthesoldierdaredtouseforce。Butthehandhestretchedoutdroppedlimplybacktohissidethemomentittouchedtheoldman’sbareshoulder，asthoughithadbeenstruckbysomeshock。Heseemedalmosttohaveexpectedsomesuchrepulse;yetwhenhepickedupthathandwiththeother，andlookedatit，andsawitswhiteness，heletoutofhimayelllikeawoundedbeast。"Oh，Gods！"hecried。"Notthat。Spareme！"

ButZaemonwasgloweringathimstill。Atwitchingseizedtheman’sface，andheputuphissoundhandtoitandpluckedathisbeard，whichwascurledandplaitedafterthenewfashionoftheday。Awomanstandingnearscreamedasthehalfofthebeardcameoffinhisfingers。Beneathwassilverwhitenessoverhalfhisface。Zaemonhadsmittenhimwithasuddenleprosythatwaspastcure。

Yetthepunishmentwasnotendedeventhen。Othertwitchingstookhimonotherpartsofthebody，andhetoreoffhisarmourandhisfoppishclothes，andalwayswherethebarefleshshowed，therehadthehorridplaguewrittenitswhitemark;andintheend，beingabletoendurenomore，themanfelltothepavementandlaytherewrithing。

Zaemonsaidnofurtherword。HeliftedtheSymbolbeforehim，sethiseyesonthefartherdoorofthebanqueting—hallandwalkedforitdirectly，allthoseinhispathshrinkingawayfromhimwithopenshudders。Andthroughthevalvesofthedoorhepassedoutofoursight，stillwordless，stillunchecked。

IglancedupatPhorenice。Thelovelinessofherfacewasdrawnandhaggard。Itwasthefirstgreatreverse，this，shehadmetwithinallherlife，andtheshockofit，andthevisionofwhatmightfollowafter，dazedher。Alas，ifshecouldonlyhaveguessedatatenthoftheterrorswhichthefuturehadinitswomb，Atlantismighthavebeensavedeventhen。

6。THEBITERSOFTHECITYWALLS

HerethenwasthemannerofmyreceptionbackinthecapitalofAtlantis，andsomefirstglimpseathernewpolicies。Ifreelyconfesstomyowninactionandlimpness;butitwasalldeliberate。

Theoldtiesofdutyseemedlost，oratleastmergedinoneanother。Beforetime，toservethekingwastoservetheClanofthePriests，fromwhichhehadbeenchosen，andwhoseheadheconstituted。ButPhorenicewasself—made，andappearedtobearuleuntoherself;ifZaemonwastobetrusted，hewasthemouthpieceofthePriests，andtheirClanhadsetheratdefiance;

andhowwasamerehonestmantochooseontheinstantbetweenthetwo？

Butcoldargumenttoldmethatgovernmentsweresetupforthegoodofthecountryatlarge，andIsaidtomyselfthattherewouldbemychoice。ImustfindoutwhichrulepromisedbestofAtlantis，anddomypoorbesttopropitintofullpower。Andhereatoncethereopenedupanotherpathinthemaze:Ihadheardsomeconsiderabletalkofrebels;ofanotherfactionofAtlanteanswho，whatevertheirfaultsmightbe，wereatanyratestrongenoughtobeleaguerthecapital;andbeforecomingtoanyfinaldecision，itwouldbeaswelltotaketheirclaimsinbalancewiththerest。SoonthenightofthatverysamedayonwhichIhadjustre—plantedmyfootontheoldcountry’sshores，Isetouttogleanformyselftidingsonthematter。

Nooneinsidetheroyalpyramidgainsaidme。ThebanquethadendedabruptlywiththeterriblescenethatIhavesetdownaboveonthesetablets，forwithTarcawrithingonthefloor，andthrustingoutthegruesomescarsofhisleprosy，eventhemostgluttonoushadlittleenoughappetiteforfurthergorging。

Phorenicegloweredonthefeastersforawhilelongerinsilentfury，butsayingnofurtherword;andthenhereyesturnedonme，thoughsoftenedsomewhat。

"Youmaybeanhonestman，Deucalion，"shesaid，atlength，"butyouareamonstrouscoldone。Iwonderwhenyouwillthaw？"

Andhereshesmiled。"Ithinkitwillbesoon。ButfornowIbidyoufarewell。Inthemorningwewilltakethiscountrybytheshoulders，andseeitinsomeneworder。"

Sheleftthebanqueting—hallthen，Ylgafollowing;andtakingprecedenceofmyrank，Iwentoutnext，whilstallothersstoodandmadesalutation。ButIhaltedbyTarcafirst，andputmyhandonhisuncleanflesh。"Youareanunfortunateman，"Isaid，"butIcanadmireabravesoldier。Ifreliefcanbegainedforyourplague，Iwilluseinteresttoprocureitforyou。"

Theman’sthankscameinamumblefromhiswreckedmouth，andsomeofthosenearshudderedinaffecteddisgust。Iturnedonthemwithablackbrow:"Yourcharity，mylords，seemsofassmallaccountasyourcourage。YouaffectedafinedisbeliefofZaemon’ssayings，andasimperingcontemptforhispriesthood，butwhenitcomestolayingahandonhim，youshowadiscretionwhich，intheolddays，weshouldhavecalledbyanuglyname。IhadratherbeTarca，withallhisuncleanness，thananyofyounowasyoustand。"

Withwhichleave—takingIwaitedcoldlytilltheygavememyduesalutation，andthenwalkedoutofthebanqueting—hallwithoutofferingasoulanotherglance。Itookmywaytothegrandgateofthepyramid，calledfortheofficeroftheguard，anddemandedexit。Themanwasobsequiousenough，butheopenedwithsomedemur。

"Mylord’sattendantshavenotyetcomeup？"

"Ihavenone。"

"Mylordknowsthestateofthestreets？"

"Ididtwentyyearsback。Ishallbeabletopickmyway。"

"Mylordmustrememberthatthecityisbeleaguered，"thefellowpersisted。"Thepeoplearehungry。Theyprowlinbandsafternightfall，and——Imakenoquestionthatmylordwouldconquerinafightagainstwhateverodds，but——"

"Quiteright。Icovetnostreetscuffleto—night。Lendme，Iprayyou，asufficiencyofmen。Youwillknowbestwhatareneeded。Forme，Iamaccustomedtoacitywithquietstreets。"

Ascoreofsturdyfellowsweredetailedoffformyescort，andwiththeminadoublefileoneitherhand，Imarchedoutfromthecloseperfumedairofthepyramidintothecoolmoonlightofthecity。Itwasmypurposetomakeatourofthewallsandtofindoutsomewhatofthedispositionoftheserebels。

ButtheGodssawfittogivemeanothereducationfirst。Thecity，asIsawitduringthatnightwalk，wasnolongertheoldcapitalthatIhadknown，thejustaccretionoftheages，thedueadmixtureofcomfortandsplendour。Thesplendourwasthere，vastlyincreased。Wholewardshadbeensweptawaytomakespacefornewpalaces，andnewpyramidsofthewealthy，andIcouldnotbuthaveanadmirationfortheskillandthebrainwhichmadepossiblesuchsplendidmonuments。

And，indeed，gazingatthemthereunderthesilverofthemoonlight，IcouldalmostunderstandtheemotionsoftheEuropeansandotherbarbaroussavageswhichcausethemtoworshipallsuchgreatbuildingsasGods，sincetheydeemthemtoowonderfulandmajestictobesetupbyhumanhandsunaided。

Still，ifitwaseasytoadmire，itwassimplealsotoseeplainadvertisementofthecostatwhichthesegreatworkshadbeenreared。Fromeachgrantofground，whereoneofthesestatelypilesearnedsilverunderthemoon，ahundredfamilieshadbeenevictedandlefttoharbourastheypleasedintheopen;and，asaconsequence，noweverynichehaditsquotaofsleepers，andeveryshadowitssquadoffiercewildcreatures，readytorushoutandroborslayallwayfarersoflessforcethantheirown。