第11章

"Nay，Iwillnotburnany，"saidPhorenice，"butyoushalllookuponmysword—playtillyouaretired。"

Iheardhersaythatwithsomemaliciousamusement，knowing（asoneoftheSeven）howshehadcalleddownthefiresoftheskytoburnthatcloven—hoofedhorseofferedinsacrifice，andknowingtoo，fullwell，thatshecouldbringdownnofirehere。Buttheygaveuslittleenoughtimeforwordycourtesies。TheirEmpressneverwentfarunattended，and，foraughtthewretchesknew，anescortmightbeclosebehind。Sowhatpilferingtheydid，itbehovedthemtogetdonequickly。

Theyclosedin，jostlingoneanothertobefirst，andthereekoftheirfilthybodiesmadeuscough。AgrimyhandlaunchedouttoseizesomeofthejewelswhichflashedonPhorenice’sbreast，andIloppeditoffattheelbow，sothatitfellatherfeet，andasecondlaterwewereengaged。

"Yourbacktomine，comrade，"criedshe，withalaugh，andthendrewandlaidaboutherwithfinedexterity。Bah！butitwasmereslaughter，thatfirstbout。

Thecrowdhustledinwardswithsuchgreedinesstoseizewhattheycould，thatnonehadspacetodrawbackelbowforathrust，andwetwokeptacircleroundusbysheerwhirlingofsteel。Itisnecessarytodoone’sworkcleanlyinthesebouts，aswoundedleftonthegroundunnoticedbeforeoneareasdangerousassomanysnakes。ButaswecircledroundinourbattlingInotedthatallofPhorenice’squarrylaypeacefulandstill。BytheGods！butshecouldplayafinesword，thisdaintyEmpress。Shetouchedlifewitheverythrust。

Yes，itwasplaintosee，nowanexamplewasgiven，thatthethroneofAtlantishadbeenwon，notbyalovelyfaceandasubtletonguealone;and（asafightermyself）IdidnotlikePhorenicethelessfortheknowledge。Icouldbutseeheroutofthecornerofmyeye，andthatonlynowandagain，forthefishers，despitetheirill—knowledgeoffence，andtheclumsinessoftheirweapons，hadheavynumbers，andmostsavageferocity;andastheymadesoconfidentofbeingabletopullusdown，itrequiredmorethanalittlehardbattlingtokeepthemfromdoingit。Ay，bytheGods！

itwasattimesafightmyheartwarmedto，andifIhadnotcontrivedtopluckashieldfromonefoolwhocametoovain—gloriouslynearmewithone，Icouldnotsweartheywouldnothavedraggedmedownbysheerraveningsavageness。

AndalwaysabovetheburlyuproarofthefightcameverypleasantlytomyearsPhorenice’scryof"Deucalion！"whichshechoseasherbattleshout。Iknewher，ofcourse，tobeapast—mistressoftheartofcompliment，anditwasnonewthingformetohearthenameroaredoutaboveabattledin，butitwasgiventhereundercircumstanceswhichwerepeculiar，andforthelifeofmeIcouldnothelpbeingtickledbytheflattery。

Condemnmyweaknesshowyouwill，butIcameverynearthentolikingtheEmpressofAtlantisinthewayshewished。Andasforthatotherwomanwhoshouldhavefilledmymind，Iwillconfessthatthestressofthemoment，andthefuryoftheengagement，haddrivenbothherandherstraitcompletelyoutbeyondthemarchesofmymemory。Ofsuchfrailstuffarewemade，eventhoseofuswhoesteemourselvesthestrongest。

Nowitisatemptationfewmenborntotheswordcanresist，tothrowthemselvesheartandsoulintoafightforafight’ssake，anditseemsthatwomencanbebittenwiththesamefierceinfection。Theattackslackenedandhalted。Westoodinthemiddleofaringoftwisteddead，andtherestofthefishersandtheirwomenwhohemmedusinshrankbackoutofreachofourweapons。

Itwasthemomentforatruce，andthemomentwhenafewstrongwordswouldhavesentthembackcoweringtotheirhuts，andgivenusfreepassagetogowherewechose。Butno，thisPhorenicemustneedssingahymntoherswordandmine，gloatingoverourfeatsandinvulnerability;andthenshemustneedsaskpaymentforthebearersofherlitterwhomtheyhadkilled，andthenspeakbalefullyoftheburnings，andtheskinnings，andthesawingsasunderwithwhichthisfishers’quarterwouldbetreatedinthenearfuture，tilltheylearnedthevirtuesofdeportmentandgenteelmanners。

"Itmakesyourbackscreep，doesit？"saidPhorenice。"Idonotwonder。Thisseveritymusthaveitsunpleasantside。Butwhydoyounotputitbeyondmypowertogivetheorder？EitheryoumustthinkyourselvesGodsormenoGoddess，oryouwouldnothavegoneonsofar。Comenow，younasty—smellingpeople，followoutyourtheory，andifyoumakeagoodfightofit，IswearbymyfaceIwillbelenientwiththosewhodonotfall。"

Buttherewasnopressinguptomeetourswords。Theystillringedusin，savageandsullen，beyondtheringoftheirowndead，andwouldneitherrunbacktothehouses，norgiveusthegameoffurtherfight。Therewasacertainstubbornbraveryaboutthemthatonecouldnotbutadmire，andformyselfIdeterminedthatnexttimeitbecamemydutytoraisetroops，Iwouldcatchahandfulofthesemen，andteachthemhandinesswiththeutensilsofwar，andtrainthemtoloyaltyandfaithfulness。Butpresentlyfrombehindtheirranksastoneflew，andthoughitwhizzedbetweentheEmpressandmyself，andstruckdownafisher，itshowedthattheyhadbroughtanewmethodintotheirattack，anditbehovedustotakethoughtandmeetit。

Ilookedroundmeupanddownthebeach。Therewasnosignofarescue。"Phorenice，"Isaidinthecourttongue，whichthesebarbarousfisherswouldknowlittleenoughof，"Itakeitthatawhiffofthesea—breezewouldcomeverypleasantafterallthiswarmplay。Asyoucanshowsuchprettyswordwork，willyoucutmeawaydowntothebeach，andIwilldomypoorbesttokeepthesecreaturesfromsnappingatourheels？"

"Oh！"criedshe。"ThenIamtohaveacourtierforahusbandafterall。Whyhaveyoukeptbackyourflatteringspeechestillnow？Isthatyourtricktomakemeloveyou？"

"Iwillthinkoutthereasonforitanothertime。"

"Ah，thesestern，commandinghusbands，"saidshe，"howtheydopressupontheirlittlewives！"andwiththatleapedovertheringofdeadbeforeher，andcutandstabbedawaythroughthosethatstoodbetweenherandthewaterswhichcreamedandcrasheduponthebeach。Gods！whatachargeshemade。ItmademetinglewithadmirationasIfollowedsidewaysbehindher，guardingtherear。

AndIamamanthathasspentsomanyyearsinbattling，thatittakessomethingfaroutofthecommontomovemetoanyenthusiasminthismatter。

Thereweretwoboatscreakingandwashingaboutintheedgeofthesurf，butinone，happily，thewicker—workwhichmadeitsframewascrushedbytheweightofthewavesintoashapelessbundleofsticks，andwouldtakehalfadaytoreplace。Sothat，letusbutgettheothercraftafloat，andweshouldbefreefromfurtherembroiling。Butthefisherswerequicktoseetheobjectofthisnewmanoeuvre。"Guardtheboat，"theyshouted。"Smashher;slitherskinwithyourknives！Tearherwithyourfingers！Swimherouttosea！Oh，atleasttakethepaddles！"

But，iftheseclumsyfisherscouldrun，Phorenicewaslikealeggedsnakeforspeed。Shewasdownbesidetheboatbeforeanycouldreachit，laughingandshoutingoutthatshecouldbeatthemateverypoint。Myself，Iwassloweroffoot;and，besides，therewassomethatofferedmeafightontheroad，andIwasnotwishfultobaulkthem;andmoreover，thefewerweleftclamouringbehind，thefewertherewouldbetospeedourgoingwiththeirstones。

StillIcametothebeachingoodorder，andlaidhandsontheflimsyboatandtippedherdry。

"Fightingisnotradefor，me，"Icried，"whilstyouarehere，Phorenice。Guardmemybackandwalkoutintothewater。"

Itooktheboat，thrustingitafloat，andwadingwithittilltwolinesofthesurfwerepast。Thefishersswarmedroundus，activeasfishintheirnativeelement，andstrovemightilytogethandsontheboatandslitthehideswhichcovereditwiththeireagerfingers。ButIhadasparehand，andashortstabbing—knifeforsuchclose—quarterwork，andhere，there，andeverywherewasPhorenicetheEmpress，withherthirstydrippingsword。BytheGods！Ilaughedwithsheerdelightatseeingherartoffence。

Buttheswirlofagreatfishintotheshallows，andthesquealofafisherashewasdraggeddownandhomeawayintothedeep，madememindfuloffoesthatnoskillcanconquer，andnobraveryavoid。WithouttakingtimetogivetheEmpressawordofwarning，Istooped，andflunganarmroundher，andthrewherupoutofthewaterintotheboat，andthenthrustonwithallmymight，drivingtheflimsycraftouttosea，whilstmylegscreptundermeforfearofthebeastswhichswaminvisiblebeneaththemuddiedwaters。

Tothefishers，inuredtothesehorridperilsbydailyassociation，theseizingofoneoftheirnumbermeantlittle，andtheypressedon，carelessoftheirdulllives，eageronlytosnatchthejewelswhichstillflauntedonPhorenice’sbreast。Ofthevengeancethatmightcomeaftertheyreckednothing;letthembutgetthewherewithalforonenight’sgooddebauch，andtheywouldforgetthatsuchathingasthemorningofamorrowcouldhaveexistence。

TwofellowsIcaughtandkilledthat，divingdownbeneath，triedtoslittheskinoftheboatoutofsightunderthewater;

andPhorenicecaredforallthosethattriedtoputahandonthegunwales。Yes，andshedidmorethanthat。Ahugelong—neckedturtlethatwasstirredoutofthemudbytheturmoil，cameuptodaylight，andswungitsgreathorn—lippedmouthtothissideandthat，seekingforaprey。Thefishersnearitdodgedanddived。

I，thrustingatthesternoftheboat，couldonlyhopeitwouldpassmebyandsoofferedaneasymark。Itscurriedtowardsme，champingitsnoisylips，andbeatingthewaterintospraywithitsflippers。

ButPhorenicewasquickwitharemedyandarescue。Shepassedherswordthroughoneofthefishersthatpressedher，andthenthrustthebodytowardstheturtle。Thegreatneckswoopedtowardsit;thelongslimyfeelerswhichprotrudedfromitsheadquiveredandsnuffled;andthenthehornygreenjawscrunchedonit，anddrewitdownoutofsight。

Theboatwasindeepwaternow，andPhorenicecalleduponmetocomeinovertheside，shethewhilebalancingnicelysothattheflimsythingshouldnotbeoverset。Thefishershadgivenuptheirpursuit，findingthattheyearnednothingbutlopped—offarmsandsplitfacesbycomingwithinswingofthisterribleswordoftheirEmpress，andsocontentedthemselveswithvolleyingjaggedstonesinthehopesofstunningusorsplittingtheboat。However，Phorenicecrouchedinthestern，holdingthetwoshields——herowngoldentarget，andtheroughhidebucklerIhadwon——andsoprotectedbothofuswhilstIpaddled，andthoughmanystonesclatteredagainsttheshields，andhitthehidecoveringoftheboat，sothatitresoundedlikeadrum，noneofthemdiddamage，andwedrewquicklyoutoftheirrange。

12。THEDRUGOFOURLADYTHE

MOON

OurLordtheSunwasridingtowardstheendofHisday，andthesmokefromaburningmountainfannedblackandforbiddingbeforeHisface。Phorenicewrungthewaterfromherclothesandshivered。"Workhardwiththosepaddles，Deucalion，andtakemeinthroughthewater—gateandletmeberestoredtomycomfortsagain。

Thatmerchantwouldrueifhesawhowhisprettygarmentswerespoiled，andIrue，too，beingawoman，andrememberingthatheatleasthasnoothersIcantakeinplaceofthese。"Shelookedatmesidelong，tossingbacktheshortredhairfromhereyes。"Whatthinkyouofmywisdomincomingwherewehavecomewithoutanescort？"

"TheEmpresscandonowrong，"Iquotedtheoldformulawithasmile。

"AtleastIhaveshownyouthatIcanfight。Icaughtyoulookingyourapprovalofmequitepleasantlyonceortwice。Youwereadifficultmantothaw，Deucalion，butyouwarmperceptiblyasyoukeeponbeingnearme。La，sir，weshallbeapairofrusticsweetheartsyet，ifthisgoeson。IamgladIthoughtofthedeviceofgoingnearthosesmellyfishers。"

Soshehadtakenmeoutinthelitterunattendedfortheplainpurposeofinvitingafight，andshowingmeherskillatarms，andperhaps，too，ofseeinginpersonhowIalsocarriedmyselfinamomentofstress。Well，ifweweretoliveontogetherashusbandandwife，itwasgoodthateachshouldknowtoanicetytheother’spowers;andalso，Iamtoomuchofanoldbattlerandtoomuchenamouredwiththeglorioushandlingofarmstoquarrelverydeeplywithanyonewhooffersmeatoughupstandingfight。Stillforthelifeofme，IcouldnothelpcomparingPhorenicewithanotherwoman。Withasimilarchanceopenbeforeus，Naishadrobbedmeofthestrugglethroughasheerpityforthosesqualidrebelswhodidnotevencallherchieftain;whilstherewasthisEmpressfritteringawaytwoscoreofthehardiestofhersubjectsmerelytogratifyawhim。

Yet，loyaltomyvowasapriest，andtothecommandssetuponmebythehighcouncilontheSacredMountain，Itriedtoputawaythesewaywardthoughtsandcomparisons。AsIrowedovertheswingingsofthewavestowardsthefortswhichguardtheharbour’smouth，IsentprayerstotheHighGodstogivemytonguedexterity，andTheythroughTheirloveforthecountryofAtlantis，andtheharassedpeople，whomitwasmydeepwishtoserve，grantedmethatpowerofspeechwhichPhoreniceloved。HereyesgloweduponmeasItalked。

Thisbeachofthefisherswherewehadhadourpassageatarmsissafefromshipattackfromwithout，byreasonofachainofjaggedrockswhichspringupfromthedeep，andrunfromtheharboursidetotheendofthecitywall。Thefishersknowthepasses，andcanoftentimesgetthroughtotheopenwaterbeyondwithouttouchingastone;oriftheydoseeadangerofhittingonthereef，leapoutandcarrytheirlightboatsintheirhandstillthewaterfloatsthemagain。ButhereIhadneithertheknowledgenorthedexterity，and，thoughtI，nowtheHighGodswillshowfinallyifTheywishthiswomanwhohasdefiledthemtoreignoninAtlantis，andifalsoTheywishmetoserveasherhusband。

Icriedthesethingsinmyheart，andwaitedtoreceivetheomen。Therewasnohalf—answer。Agreatwaveroseinthelagoonbehindus，awavesuchascouldhaveonlybeencausedbyanearthtremor，andonitssleekbackwewerehurledforwardandthrownclearofthereefswiththeirseaweedslickingroundus，withoutsomuchasseeingastoneofthebarrier。IbowedmyheadasIrowedontowardstheharbourforts。ItwasplainthatnotyetwouldtheHighGodstakevengeancefortheinsultswhichthislovelywomanhadofferedThem。

Thesentriesinthetwofortsbeatdrumsatoneanotherintheiraccustomedrotation，andinthegrowingduskweregoingtopaylittleenoughattentiontothefishingboatwhichlayagainstthegreatchainclamouringtohaveitlowered。Butluckilyapairofofficersweretakingtheairoftheeveninginastone—droppingturretoftheroofofthenearerfort，andtheserecognisedthetoneofourshouts。Theysilencedthedrums，torcheswereloweredtomakesureofourfaces，andthenwithasplashthegreatchainwasdroppedintothewatertogiveuspassage。

Agalleylayinside，nuzzlingtheharbourwall，andpresentlytheladderofropeswasletdownfromthetopofthenearestfort，andacrewcamedowntomantheoars。Therewerethecustomarychangesofraimenttoo，givenaspresentsbytheofficersofthefort，andtheseweputoninthecabinofthegalleyinplaceofthesoddenclotheswewore。Therearefeverstobegainedbycarryingwetclothesaftersunset，andthoughfrompersonalexperienceIhavelearnedthatthesemaybewardedoffwithdrugs，InoticedwithsomegrimamusementthattheEmpresshadsufficientlylittleoftheGoddessabouthertofearverymuchtheailmentswhichareduetofrailhumanity。

Thegalleyrowedswiftlyacrossthecalmwatersoftheharbour，andmadefasttotheringsofgoldontheroyalquay，andwhilstwewerewaitingforlitterstobebrought，IwatchedalanternlitintheboatwhichstoodguardoverPhorenice’smammoth。

Thehugeredbeaststoodshoulder—deepintheharbourwater，withtrunkup—turned。Itwastamednow，andthelightoftheboat’slanternfellonthelittleripplessentoutbyitstremblings。ButIdidnotchoosetointercedeoraskmercyforit。Ifthemammothsankdeeperintheharbourmud，andwasswallowed，Icouldhavebornethelosswithequanimity。

Totellthetruth，thatrideonthegreatbeast’sbackhadimpressedmeunfavourably。Infact，itputintomeasenseofhelplessnessthatwaswellnighintolerable。Perhapscircumstanceshavemademeundulyself—reliant:onthatothersmustjudge。ButIwillowntohavingapreferenceforwalkingonmyownproperfeet，astheGodsinfashioningourshapesmostcertainlyintended。

OnmyownfeetIamabletoguardmyownheadandneck，andhavedoneonfourcontinents，throughoutalongandactivelife，andonmanyathousandoccasions。Butonthebackofthatdetestablemammoth，pah！Igrewasnervousasachildoradastard。

However，Ihadlittleenoughleisureforpersonalmegrimsjustthen。Whilstwewaited，Phoreniceaskedtheport—captain（whomustneedscomeupofficiouslytomakehissalutations）afterthedisposalofNais，andwastoldthatshehadbeenclappedintoadungeonbeneaththeroyalpyramid，andtheofficeroftheguardtherehadgivenhisbondforhersafe—keeping。

"Itistobehopedheunderstandshiswork，"saidtheEmpress。

"ThatprettyNaisknowsthepyramidbetterthanmost，anditmaybehewillbesenttothetormentorsforputtingherinacellwhichhadasecretoutlet。Youwouldfeelpleasureifthegirlescaped，Deucalion？"

"Assuredly，"saidI，knowinghowuselessitwouldbetomakeasecretofthematter。"IhavenoenmityagainstNais。"

"ButIhave，"saidsheviciously，"andIamstillmindedtolockyourfaithtomebythatweddinggiftyouknowof。"

"Thethingshallbedone，"Isaid。"Beforeall，theEmpressofAtlantis。"

"Poof！Deucalion，youaretoostiffandformal。YououghttobemightilyhonouredthatIcondescendtobejealousofyourfavours。Yourhand，sir，please，tohelpmeintothelitter。Andnowcomeinbesideme，andkeepmewarmagainstthenightair。Ho！

youguardstherewiththetorches！Keepfartherbackagainstthestreetwalls。Theperfumeyouareburningstiflesme。"

Againtherewasafeastthatnightintheroyalbanqueting—hall;againIsatbesidePhoreniceontheraiseddaiswhichstandsbeneaththesymbolsofthesnakeandtheout—stretchedhand。Whathadbeentakenforgrantedbeforeaboutourforthcomingrelationshipwasthistimeproclaimedopenly;theEmpressherselfacknowledgedmeasherhusbandthatwastobe;andallthatcurledandjewelledthrongofcourtiershailedmeasgreaterthanthemselves，byreasonofthiswoman’schoice。Therewasmethod，too，intheirsalutation。Somerumourmusthavegotaboutofmypreferencefortheolderandsimplerhabits，andtherewasnodrinkingwinetomyhealthafterthenewand（asIconsidered）

impertinentmanner。Decorously，eachlordandladytherecameforward，andeachinturnspiltagobletatmyfeet;andwhenI

calledanyup，whethermanorwoman，toreceivetit—bitsfrommyplatter，itwaseatensimplyandthankfully，andnotkissedorpocketedwithanyextravagantgesture。

Theflaringjetsofearth—breathshowedme，too，soIthought，aplainerhabitofdress，andamoresobermienamongstthisthoughtlessmobofbanqueters。And，indeed，itmusthavebeenplaintonotice，forPhorenice，leaningovertilltheruddycurlsonhershoulderbrushedmyface，chidedmeinaplayfulwhisperashavingusurpedherhighauthorityalready。

"Oh，sir，"shepleadedmockingly，"donotmakeyourruleoverustooascetic。Ihavegivennoordersforthischange，butto—nighttherearenoperfumesintheair;thefoodissoplainandIhavehalfamindtoburnthecook;andasfortheclothesandgaudsofthesediners，bymyface！theymighthavecomestraightfromtheoldKing’sreignbeforeIsteppedinheretoshowhowtastefulcouldbecoloursonarobe，orhowprettytheglintofajewel。It’sdonebynoordersofmine，Deucalion。Theyhaveswungroundtothischangebysheercourtierinstinct。Why，lookatthebeardsofthemen！Thereisnothalfthecurlaboutmanyofthemto—daythattheyshowedwithsuchexquisitenessyesterday。Bymyface！Ibelievethey’dreaptheirchinsto—morrowassmoothasyours，ifyougoonsettingthefashionsatthisprodigiousrateandIdonotinterfere。"

"Whyhinderthemiftheyfeelmorecleanlyshaven？"

"No，sir。ThereshallbeonlyonecleanchinwhereabeardcangrowinallAtlantis，andthatshallbecarriedbythemanwhoishusbandtotheEmpress。Why，myDeucalion，wouldyouhavenosumptuarylaws？Wouldyouhavethesegoodfolkhereandthecommonpeopleoutsideimitateusineverycutofthehairandeveryfoldofagarmentwhichitpleasesustodiscover？Come，sir，ifyouandIchosetosaythatoursovereigntywasmarkedonlybyoursuperiorstrengthofarmandwit，theywouldhateusatonceforourarrogance;whereas，ifwekeepaparttoourselvesafewmerepersonaldecorations，thesebecomejustobjectstoadmireandpleasantlyenvy。"

"Youshowmethatthereismoreintheofficeofarulerthanmeetstheeye。"

"Andyettheytellme，andindeedshowme，thatyouhaveruledwithsomesuccess。"

"Iemployedtheoldermethod。ItrequiresaPhorenicetoinventthesenicerflights。"

"Flatterer！"saidshe，andsmotemeplayfullywiththebackofherlittlefingersonmyarm。"Youarebecomingasgreatacourtierasanyofthem。Youmakemeblushwithyourfinepleasantries，Deucalion，andthereisnofan—girlhereto—nighttocoolmycheek。Imustchoosemeanotherfan—girl。ButitshallnotbeYlga。YlgaseemstohavemoreofakindnessforyouthanI

like，andifsheiswiseshewillgoliveinherpalaceattheothersideofthecity，andthereoccupyherselfwiththeorderingofherslaves，andthemakingsofembroideries。IshallnotbehardonYlgaunlesssheforcesme，butIwillhavenowomaninthiskingdomtreatyouwithunduecivility。"

"AndhowamItoact，"saidI，fallinginwithhermood，"whenIseeandhearallthemenofAtlantismakingtheirprotestationsbeforeyou？Byyourownconfessiontheyallloveyouasardentlyastheyseemtohavelovedyouhopelessly。"

"Ah，now，"shesaid，"youmustnotaskmetodoimpossibilities。Iampowerfulifyouwill。ButIhavenoforcewhichwillgoverntheheartsofthesepoorfellowsonmatterssuchasthat。Butifyouchoose，youmakeproclamationthatIamgivennowbodyandinwardstoyou，andiftheycontinuetooffendyourprideinthismatter，youmaytakeyourculprits，andgivethemovertothetormentors。Indeed，Deucalion，Ithinkitwouldbeaprettyattentiontomeifyoudidarrangesomesuchceremony。Itseemstomeapresent，"sheaddedwithafrown，"thatthejealousyistoomuchononeside。"

"Youmustnotexpectthatamanwhohasbeendivorcedfromloveforallofabusylifecanlearnallitsnicetiesinaninstant。Myself，Iwasfeelingproudofmyprogress。Withanyotherschoolmistressthanyou，Phorenice，Ishouldnotbenearsoforward。Infact（ifonemayjudgebymypastrecord），Ishouldnothavebeguntolearnatall。"

"IsupposeyouthinkIshouldbesatisfiedwiththat？Well，Iamnot。Icanbefinelygreedyoversomematters。"

Thebanquetthisnightdidnotextendtoinordinatelength。

Phorenicehadgonethroughmuchsincelastsheslept，andthoughshehaddeclaredherselfGoddessinthemeantime，itseemedthatherbodyremainedmortalasheretofore。Theblackringsofwearinesshadgrownunderherwondrouseyes，andshelaybackamongstthecushionsofthedivanwithherlimbsslackenedandlistless。Whenthedancerscameandposturedbeforeus，shethrewthemajewelandbadethembegonebeforetheyhadgivenahalfoftheirperformance，andthepoet，asillyswellingfellowwhocametosingthedeedsoftheday，shewouldnothearatall。

"To—morrow，"shesaidwearily，"butfornowgrantmepeace。

MyLordDeucalionhasgivenmemuchfoodforthoughtthisday，andpresentlyIgotomychambertomuseoverthefuturepoliciesofthisStatethroughoutthenight。To—morrowcometomeagain，andifyourpoetryisgoodandshort，Iwillpayyousurprisingly。Butseetoitthatyouarenotlong—winded。Iftherearesuperfluouswords，Iwillpayyouforthosewiththestick。"

Sherosetoherfeetthen，andwhenthebanquetershadmadetheirsalutationtous，Iledherawayfromthebanqueting—hallanddownthepassageswiththeirsecretdoorswhichledtoherprivatechambers。Sheclungonmyarm，andoncewhenwehaltedwhilstagreatstoneblockswungslowlyajartoletuspass，shedroopedherheadagainstmyshoulder。Herbreathcamewarmagainstmycheek，andthelovelinessofherfacesocloseathandsurpassesthedescriptionofwords。IthinkitwasinhermindthatIshouldkisstheredlipswhichwereheldsoneartomine，butwillingthoughIwastoplaythepartappointed，Icouldnotbringmyselftothat。Sowhenthestoneblockhadswung，shedrewawaywithasigh，andwewentonwithoutfurtherspeech。

"MaytheHighGodstreatyoutenderly，"Isaid，whenwecametothedoorofherbed—chamber。

"IammyownGod，"saidshe，"inallthingsbutone。Bymyface！youareatardywooer，Deucalion。Wheredoyougonow？"

"Tomyownchamber。"

"Oh，gothen，go。"

"IsthereanythingmoreIcoulddo？"

"Nothingthatyourwitoryourwillwouldpromptyouto。Yes，indeed，youarefinelydecorous，Deucalion，inyourold—fashionedway，butyouareamightypoorwooer。Don’tyouknow，myman，thatawomanesteemssomethingsthemorehighlyiftheyaretakenfromherbyrudeforce？"

"ItseemsIknowlittleenoughaboutwomen。"

"Youneversaidatruerword。Bah！AndIbelieveyourcoldnessbringsyoumorebenefitinacertainmatterthananyshowofpassioncouldearn。There，getyougone，iftheatmosphereofamaiden’sbed—chamberhurtsyourrusticmodesty，andyourGodskeepyou，Deucalion，ifthat’sthephrase，andifyouthinkTheycandoit。Getyougone，man，andleavemesolitary。"

Ihadtakentheplanofthepyramidoutofthearchivesbeforethebanquetandlearneditthoroughly，andsowasabletothreadmywaythroughitsangularmazeswithoutpauseorblunder。I，too，washeavilyweariedwithwhatIhadgonethroughsincemylastsnatchofsleep，butIdaresetapartnotimeforrestjustthen。

NaismustbesacrificedinpartfortheneedsofAtlantis;butaplanhadcometomebywhichitseemedthatsheneednotbesacrificedwholly;andtocarrythisthroughtherewasneedforquickthoughtandaction。

HelpcametomealsofromaquarterIdidnotexpect。AsI

passedalongthetortuouswaybetweentheponderousstonesofthepyramid，whichledtotheapartmentsthathadbeengivenmebyPhorenice，awomanglidedupoutoftheshadowsofoneofthesidepassages，andwhenIliftedmyhandlamp，therewasYlga。

Sheregardedmehalf—sullenly。"Ihavelostmyplace，"shesaid，"anditseemsIneedneverhavespoken。Sheintendedtohaveyouallalong，anditwasnotathinglikethatwhichcouldputheroff。Andyou——youjustthinkmeofficious，if，indeed，youhaveevergivenmeanotherthoughttillnow。"

"Ineverforgetakindness。"

"Oh，youwilllearnthattricksoonnow。Andyouaregoingtomarryher，you！Thecityisringingwithit。Ithoughtatleastyouwerehonest，butwhenthereisahighplacetobegotbymerelytakingawomanwithit，youareliketherest。Ithought，too，thatyouwouldbeoneofthosemenwhohaveadistrustforruddyhair。And，besidessheislittle。"

"Ylga，"Isaid，"youhavetaughtmethatthesewallsarefullofcranniesandears。IwilllistentonowordagainstPhorenice。

ButIwouldhavefurtherconversewithyousoon。Ifyoustillhaveakindnessforme，gotothechamberthatismineandwaitformethere。Iwilljoinyoushortly。"

Shedroopedhereyes。"Whatdoyouwantofme，Deucalion？"

"Iwanttosaysomethingtoyou。Youwilllearnwhoitconcernslater。"

"Butisit——isitfittingforamaidentocometoaman’sroomatthishour？"

"IknowlittleofyourconventionshereinthisnewAtlantis。

IamDeucalion，girl，andifyoustillhavequalms，rememberingthat，donotcome。"

Shelookedupatmewithasneer。"Iwasfoolish，"shesaid。

"Mylord’scoldnesshasgrownintoaproverb，andIshouldhaverememberedit。Yes;Iwillcome。"

"Gonow，then，"saidI，andwaitedtillshehadpassedonaheadandwasoutofsightandhearing。WithYlgatohelpme，mytasksweresomewhatlightened，andtheirsequencechanged。Inthefirstinstance，now，IhadgottomakemywaywithaslittledelayandshowaspossibleintoacertainsanctuarywhichlaywithinthetempleofourLadytheMoon。AndheremyknowledgeasoneoftheSevenstoodmeinhighfavour。