第12章

AllthetemplesofthecityofAtlantisareinimmediateandsecretconnectionwiththeroyalpyramid，butthepassagesarelittleused，seeingthattheyareknownonlytotheSevenandtotheThreeabovethem，supposingthattherearethreemenlivingatonetimesufficientlylearnedinthehighestofthehighestmysteriestobeinstalledinthatsublimedegreeoftheThree。

And，evenbythese，thesecretwaysmayonlybeusedonoccasionsofthegreateststress，sothatagenerationwellmaypasswithouttheirbeingtroddenbyahumanfoot。

Itwaswithsometrouble，andafternolittleexperimentthatIgropedmywayintothissecretalley;butoncethere，therestwaseasy。Ihadnevertroddenitbeforecertainly，buttheplanofithadbeentaughtmeatmyinitiationasoneoftheSeven，andthecourseofthewindingscamebacktomenowwitheasyaccuracy。I

walkedquickly，notonlybecausetheairinthosedeepcranniesisalwaysfulloflurkingevils，butalsobecausethehourswerefleeting，andmuchmustbedonebeforeourLordtheSunagainrosetomakeanotherday。

Icametothespy—placewhichcommandsthetemple，andfoundtheholyplaceempty，and，alas！dust—covered，andshowinglittletracethatworshipperseverfrequentedittheselatteryears。A

vaststoneofthewallswungoutwardsandgavemeentrance，andpresently（afterthesolemnprayerwhichisneedfulbeforeattemptingthesematters），Itookthemetalstairfromtheplacewhereitiskept，andclimbedtothelapoftheGoddess，andthen，pullingthestairafterme，climbedagainupwardstillmylengthlayagainsthercalmmysteriousface。

AshiveringseizedmeasIthoughtofwhatwasintended，forevenawarriorhardenedtohorridsightsanddeedsmaywellhavequalmswhenheiscalledupontojugglewithlifeanddeath，andyearsandhistory，withthewelfareofhiscountryinonehand，andthefutureofawomanwhoisaslifetohimintheother。ButagainItoldmyselfthatthehoursflew，andlaidholdofthejewelwhichisstuddedintotheforeheadoftheimagewithonehand，andthenstretchingout，thrustatacorneroftheeyebrowwiththeother。Withafaintcreakthemassiveeyeballbelow，astonethatIcouldbarelyhavecoveredwithmyback，swunginwards。Isteppedoffthestair，andclimbedintothegap。InsidewasthechamberwhichishollowedfromtheheadoftheGoddess。

ItwasthefirsttimeIhadseenthismostsecretplace，buttheaspectofitwasfamiliartomefrommyteaching，andIknewwheretofindthethingwhichwouldfillmyneed。Yet，occupiedthoughImightbewiththestressofwhatwastobefall，Icouldnothelphavingawonderandanadmirationfortheclevernesswithwhichitwashidden。

HighasIwasinthelearningandmysteriesofthePriestlyClan，thestructureofwhatIhadcometofetchwashiddenfromme。

BeforetimeIhadknownonlyoftheirpowerandeffect;andnowthatIcametohandlethem，Isawonlysomeroughlyroundedballs，likenutkernels，grassgreenincolour，andinhardnesslikethewaxofbees。Therewerethreeoftheseballsinthehiddenplace，andI

tooktheonethatwasneedful，concealingtheothersasIhadfoundthem。Itmayhavebeenadrug，itmayhavebeensomethingmore;

whatexactlyitwasIdidnotknow;onlyofitspowerandeffectI

wassure，asthatwassetforthplainlyintheteachingIhadlearned;andsoIputitinapouchofmygarment，returningbythewayIhadcome，andreplacingallthingsindueorderbehindme。

OnelookItookattheimageoftheGoddessbeforeIleftthetemple。Thejetofearth—breathwhichburnseternallyfromthecentralaltarlitherfromheadtotoe，andthrewsparklesfromthegreatjewelinherforehead。Vastshewas，andcalmandpeacefulbeyondallhumanimaginings，aperfectsymbolismofthatrestandquietnesswhichmanysighforsovainlyonthisrudeearth，butwhichtheywillneverattainunlessbytheirpietytheyearnaplaceinthehereafter，whereourLadytheMoonandtherestoftheHighOnesreigninTheireternalgloriousmajesty。

ItwaswithtireddragginglimbsthatImademywaybackagaintotheroyalpyramid，andatlastcametomyownprivatechamber。

Ylgaawaitedmethere，thoughatfirstIdidnotseeher。Thesuspicionsofthesemoderndayshadtakenadeepholdofthegirl，andshemustneedscrouchinhidingtillshemadesureitwasIwhocametothechamber，and，moreover，thatIcamealone。

"Oh，frownatmeifyouchoose，"saidshesullenly，"Iampastcaringnowforyourgoodopinion。IhadheardsomuchofDeucalion，andIthoughtIreadhonestyinyouwhenfirstyoucameashore;butnowIknowthatyouarenobetterthantherest。

Phoreniceoffersyouahighplace，andyoumarryherblithelytogetit。Andwhy，indeed，shouldyounotmarryher？Peoplesaysheispretty，andIknowshecanbewarm。Ihaveseenherwarmandlanguishingtoscoresofmen。Sheisclever，too，withhereyes，isourgreatEmpress;Igrantherthat。Andasforyou，itticklesyoutobecourted。"

"Ithinkyouareaverysillywoman，"Isaid。

"Ifyouflatteryourselfitmattersaraptomewhomyoumarry，youarelettingconceitrunawaywithyou。"

"Listen，"Isaid。"Ididnotaskyouheretomakefoolishspeecheswhichseemlargelybeyondmycomprehension。Iaskedyoutohelpmedoaservicetooneofyourownblood—kin。"

Shestaredatmewonderingly。"Idonotunderstand。"

"ItrestslargelywithyouastowhetherNaisdiesto—morrow，orwhethersheisthrownintoasleepfromwhichshemaywakenonsomelaterandmorehappyday。"

"Nais！"shegasped。"Mytwin，Nais？Sheisnothere。Sheisoutinthecampwiththosenastyrebelswhobiteagainstthecitywalls，if，indeed，stillshelives。"

"Nais，yoursisterisnearusintheroyalpyramidthisminute，andunderguard，thoughwhereIdonotknow。"AndwiththatItoldherallthathadpassedsincethegirlwasbroughtupaprisonerinthegalleyofthatfoolish，fawningcaptainoftheport。"TheEmpresshasdecreedthatNaisshallbeburiedaliveunderathroneofgranitewhichIamtobuildforherto—morrow，andburiedshewillassuredlybe。YetIhaveakindnessforNais，whichyoumayguessatifyouchoose，andIammindedtosendherintoasleepsuchasonlywehigherpriestsknowof，fromwhichatsomefuturedayshemaypossiblyawaken。"

"SoitisNais;andnotPhorenice，andnot——notanyother？"

"Yes;itisNais。ImarrytheEmpressbecauseZaemon，whoismouthpiecetotheHighCouncilofthePriests，hasorderedit，forthegoodofAtlantis。Butmyinwardsremainstillcoldtowardsher。"

"AlmostIhatepoorNaisalready。"

"Yourvengeancewouldbeeasy。Donottellmewheresheisgaoled，andIshallnotdaretoask。EventogiveNaisafurtherspanoflifeIcannotriskmakinginquiriesforhercell，whenthereisachancethatthosewhotellmemightcarrynewstotheEmpress，andsocausemoretroubleforthispoorAtlantis。"

"AndwhyshouldInotcarrythenews，andsobringmyselfintofavouragain？Itellyouthatbeingfan—girltoPhoreniceandsecondwomaninthekingdomisathingthatnotmanywouldcastlightlyaside。"

Ilookedherbetweeneyesandsmiled。"Ihavenofearthere。

Youwillnotbetrayme，Ylga。NeitherwillyousellNais。"

"IseemtorememberverysmallloveforthissameNaisjustnow，"shesaidbitterly。"Butyouarerightaboutthatothermatter。Ishallnotbuymyselfbackatyourexpense。Oh，Iamafool，Iknow，andyoucangivemenothanksthatIcareabout，butthereisnootherwayIcanact。"

"Thenletusfritternomoretime。GoyououtnowandfindwhereNaisisgaoled，andbringmenewshowIcansaytenwordstoher，andpressacertainmatterintoherclasp。"

Shebowedherheadandleftthechamber，andforlongenoughIwasalone。Isatdownonthecouch，andrestedwearilyagainstthewall。Mybonesached，myeyesached，andmostofall，myinwardsached。Ihadthoughttomyselfthatamanwhomakeshislifesufficientlybusywillfindnoleisureforthesepainswhichassaultfrailerfolk;butaphilosophylikethis，whichcarriedonewellinYucatan，showedpoorlyenoughwhenonetriedithereathome。Butthattherewasdutyahead，andtheorderoftheHighCounciltobecarriedintoeffect，thebleaknessoftheprospectwouldhavedauntedme，andIwouldhaveprayedtheGodsthentosparemefurtherlife，andtakemeuntoThemselves。

Ylgacamebackatlast，andIgotupandwentquicklyafterherassheleddownamazeofpassagesandalleyways。"Therehasbeennocaresparedoverherguarding，"shewhispered，aswehaltedoncetomoveastone。"Theofficeroftheguardisanoldloverofmine，andIraisedhishopestotheburningpointagainbyadozenwords。ButwhenIwantedtoseehisprisoner，therehewasasfirmasbrass。Itoldhimshewasmysister，butthatdidnotmovehim。

Iofferedhim——oh，Deucalion，itmakesmeblushtothinkofthethingsIdidoffertothatman，buttherewasnostirringhim。Hehaswatchedthetormentorssomanytimes，thatthereisnotemptinghimintotouchoftheirinstruments。"

"Ifyouhavefailed，whybringmeouthere？"

"Oh，Iamnotinveiglingyouintoalover’swalkwithmyself，sir。Youtickleyourselfwhenyouthinkyoursocietyissopleasantasthat。"

"Come，girl，tellmethenwhatitis。Ifmytemperisshort，credititagainstmyweariness。"

"Ihavecarriedoutmylord’scommandsinpart。IknowthecellwhereNaislives，andIhavehadspeechwithher，thoughnotthroughthedoor。Andmoreover，Ihavenotseenherortouchedherhand。"

"Yourriddlesarebeyondme，Ylga，butifthereisachance，letusgetonandhavethisbusinessdone。"

"Weareattheplacenow，"saidshe，withahardlittlelaugh，"andifyoukneelonthefloor，youwillfindanairshaft，andNaiswillansweryoufromthelowerend。Formyself，Iwillleaveyou。

Ihaveadelicacyinhearingwhatyouwanttosaytomysister，Deucalion。"

"Ithankyou，"Isaid。"Iwillnotforgetwhatyouhavedoneformethisnight。"

"Youmaykeepyourthanks，"shesaidbitterly，andwalkedawayintotheshadows。

Ikneltonthefloorofthegallery，andfoundtheairpassagewithmyhand，andthen，puttingmylipstoit，whisperedforNais。

Theanswercameontheinstant，muffledandquiet。"Iknewmylordwouldcomeforafarewell。"

"WhattheEmpresssaid，hastobe。Youunderstand，mydear？

ItisforAtlantis。"

"HaveIreproachedmylord，bywordorglance？"

"Imyselfambiddentoplaceyouinthehollowbetweenthestones，andImustdoit。"

"Thenmylastsleepwillbeasweetone。Icouldnotasktobetouchedbypleasanterhands。"

"ButitmayhapthatadaywillcomewhenshewhomyouknowofwillbesufferedbytheHighGodstoliveonthislandofAtlantisnolonger。"

"Ifmylordwillcherishmypoormemorywhenheisfreeagain，Ishallbegrateful。Hemight，ifhechose，writethemonthestones:HerewasburiedamaidwhodiedgladlyforthegoodofAtlantis，eventhoughsheknewthatthemanshesodearlylovedwashusbandtohermurderess。"

"Youmustnotdie，"Iwhispered。"Mybreastisnearbrokenattheverythoughtofit。Andforrespite，wemusttrusttotheancientknowledge，whichinitsdayhasbeensentoutfromtheArkoftheMysteries。"——Itookthegreenwaxyballinmyfingers，andstretchedthemdownthecrookedair—shafttothefullofmyspan。——"Ihavesomewhatforyouhere。Reachupandtrytocatchitfromme。"

Iheardthefaintrustleofherarmasitsweptagainstthemasonry，andthentheballwastakenoverintohergrasp。Gods！

whatathrillwentthroughmewhenthefingersofNaistouchedmine！Icouldnotseeher，becauseofthecrookednessoftheshaft，butthatfainttouchofherwasexquisite。

"Ihaveit，"shewhispered。"Andwhatnow，dear？"

"Youwillhidethethinginyourgarment，andwhento—morrowtheupperstoneclosesdownuponyouandthelightisgone，thenyouwilltakeitbetweenyourlipsandletitdissolveasitwill。

Sleepwilltakeyou，mydarling，then，andtheHighGodswillwatchoveryou，eventhoughcenturiespassbeforeyouareroused。"

"IfDeucaliondoesnotwakeme，Ishallprayneveragaintoopenaneye。Andnowgo，mylordandmydear。Theywatchmehereconstantly，andIwouldnothaveyouharmedbybeingbroughttonotice。"

"Yes，Imustgo，mysweetheart。Itwillnotdotohaveourschemespoiledbyafoolishloitering。MaythemostHighGodsattendyourrest，andifthesacrificewemakefindsfavour，mayTheygrantusmeetinghereagainonearthbeforewemeet——aswemust——whenourtimeisdone，andTheytakeusuptoTheirownplace。"

"Amen，"shewhisperedback，andthen:"Kissyourfingers，dear，andthrustthemdowntome。"

Ididthat，andforaninstantfeltherfondlethemdownthecrookoftheairshaftoutofsight，andthenheardherwithdrawherlittlehandandkissitfondly。Thenagainshekissedherownfingersandstretchedthemup，andItookupthevirtueofthatpartingkissonmyfinger—tipsandpresseditsacredlytomylips。

"Living，sleeping，ordead，alwaysmydarling，"shewhispered。

Andthen，beforeIcouldanswer，shewhisperedagain:"Go，theyarecomingforme。"AndsoIwent，knowingthatIcoulddonomoretohelpherthen，andknowingthatallourschemeswouldbespiltifanyeyespieduponmeasIlaytherebesidetheairshaft。Butmychestwasliketohavesplitwiththedull，helplessanguishthatwasinit，asImademywaybacktomychamberthroughthemazyalleysofthepyramid。

"Donotlookuponmineeyes，dear，whenthetimecomes，"hadbeenherlastcommand，"ortheywilltellatalewhichPhorenice，beingawoman，wouldread。Remember，wemakethesesmalldenials，notforourownlikings，butforAtlantis，whichismothertousall。"

13。THEBURYINGALIVEOFNAIS

ThereisnodenyingthatthewishesofPhorenicewerecarriedintoquickeffectinthecityofAtlantis。HermoderntheorywasthatthecountryandallthereinexistedonlyforthegoodoftheEmpress，andwhenshehadadesire，nocostcouldpossiblybetoogreatinitscarryingout。

ShehadgivenforthheredictconcerningtheburyingaliveofNais，andthoughthewordswerethatIwastobuildthethroneofstone，itwasanunderstoodthingthatthemanuallabourwastobedoneformebyothers。Heraldsmadetheproclamationineverywardofthecity，andmasons，labourers，stonecutters，sculptors，engineers，andarchitectstookhandsfromwhateverwasoccupyingthemforthemoment，andhastenedtotherendezvous。Thearchitectschoseachiefwhogavedirections，andthelesserarchitectsandtheengineerssawthesecarriedintoeffect。Anymaterialwithinthewallsofthecityonwhichtheysettheirseal，wastakenatoncewithoutpaymentorcompensation;andastheblocksofstonetheychosewerethemostmonstrousthatcouldbegot，theywereforcedtodemolishnofewbuildingstogivethempassage。

Ihavebeforespokenofthemodernrageforerectingnewpalacesandpyramids，andeventhoughatthemomentanarmyofrebelswasbatteringwithwarenginesatthecitywalls，thebuildingguildsweresteadilyatwork，andtheirskill（withPhorenice’smarvellousinventiontoaidthem）wasconstantlyontheincrease。True，theycouldnotmovesuchmassiveblocksofstoneasthosewhichtheearlyGodsplantedforthesacredcircleofourLordtheSun，buttheyhadgotramsandtrucksandcraneswhichcouldhandleamazingbulks。

Thethronewastobeerectedintheopensquarebeforetheroyalpyramid。Seventiersofstonewerethereforagroundwork，eachaknee—heightdeep，andeachcutinthefrontwiththreesteps。IntheuppermostlayerwasacavitymadetoholdthebodyofNais，andabovethiswaspoisedthevastblockwhichformedtheseatofthethroneitself。

Throughoutthenight，tothelightoftorches，relayafterrelayofthestonecutters，andthemasons，andthesweatinglabourershadtoiledoverbringingupthestoneanddressingitintofitshape，andlayingitindueposition;andtheengineershadbuiltmachinesforlifting，andthearchitectshadprovedthateachstonelayinitsjustandperfectplace。Whipscracked，andmenfaintedwiththelabour，butsosoonasonewasincapableanotherpressedforwardintohisplace。NodelaywasbrookedwhenPhorenicehadsaidherwish。

Andfinally，asthesquarebegantofillwithpeoplecometogapeatthepageantofto—day，thechippingsandthescaffoldingwereclearedaway，andwithitthebodiesofsomehalf—scoreofworkmenwhohaddiedfromaccidentsortheirexertionsduringthebuilding，andtherestoodthethrone，splendidinitscarvings，andallreadyforcompletion。Thelowerpartstoodmorethantwoman—heightsabovetheground，andnostoneofitscoursesweighedlessthantwentymen;theupperpartwasdoubletheweightofanyofthese，andwascarvedsothattheroyalsnakeencircledthechair，andthegreathoodedheadovershadowedit。Butatpresenttheupperpartwasnotonitsbed，beinghelduphighbyliftingrams，forwhatpurposesallmenknew。

Itwastofacethisscene，then，thatIcameoutfromtheroyalpyramidatthesummonsofthechamberlainsinthecoolofnextmorning。Eachgreatmanwhohadcometherebeforemehadbanner—

bearersandtrumpeterstoproclaimhispresence;themiddleclasseswereinalltheirbraveryofapparel;andevenpoorsqualidcreatures，withribsofhungershowingthroughtheirdustyskins，hadturbansandwispsofcolourwrappedabouttheirheadstomarkthegaietyoftheday。

Thetrumpetsproclaimedmycoming，andthepeopleshoutedwelcome，andwiththegorgeouschamberlainswalkingbackwardsinadvance，Iwentacrosstoascarletawningthathadbeenprepared，andtookmyseatuponthecushionsbeneathit。

AndthencamePhorenice，mybridethatwastobethatday，freshfromsleep，andgloriousinhersplendidbeauty。ShewasborneoutfromthepyramidinanopenlitterofgoldandivorybyfantasticsavagesfromEurope，herownrefinementoffeaturebeingthrownupintoallthehigherreliefbycontrastwiththeirbrutishugliness。Onecouldhearthepeopledrawadeepbreathofdelightastheireyesfirstfelluponher;anditiseasytobelievetherewasnotamaninthatcrowdwhichthrongedthesquarewhodidnotenvymeherchoice，norwasthereasoulpresent（unlessYlgawastheresomewhereveiled）whocouldbyanystretchimaginethatIwasnotoverjoyedinwinningsolovelyawife。

Formyself，Isummonedupalltheironofmytrainingtoguardtheexpressionofmyface。Wewerehereonceremonialto—day;aghastlyenoughaffairthroughoutallitsacts，ifyouchoose，butstillceremonial;andIwasmindedtoshowPhoreniceagrandmannerthatwouldleavehernothingtocavilat。Afterallthathadbeengonethroughandendured，Ididnotintendagreatschemetobeshatteredbylettingmyagonyandpainshowthemselves，ineitherashakinghandoratwitchingcheek。Whenitcametothepoint，I

toldmyself，Iwouldlaythelivingbodyofmyloveinthehollowbeneaththestoneascalmly，andwithaslittleoutwardemotion，asthoughIhadbeenamerepriestcarryingouttheburialofsomedeadstranger。Andshe，onherpart，wouldnot，Iknew，betrayoursecret。Withher，too，itwastruly"BeforeallAtlantis。"

Ithinkitsparedapangtofindthattherewastobenomockeryorflippancyinwhatwentforward。Allwassolemnandimpressive;and，thoughacertaingrandeurandsombrenesswhichbitdeepintomybreastwaslosttothevulgarcrowd，Ifancythattheoutwardshapeofthedoublesacrificetheywitnessedthatdaywouldnotbeforgottenbyanyofthem，althoughtheinnermeaningofitallwascompletelyhiddenfromtheirminds。Whenitsuitedherfancy，nonecouldbemorestrictontheritualofaceremonythanthismany—moodedEmpress，anditappearedthatonthisoccasionshehadgivencommandthatallthingsweretobecarriedoutwiththerigidexactnessandpompoftheoldermanner。

SoshewasborneupbyherEuropeanstothescarletawning，andIhandedhertotheground。Sheseatedherselfonthecushions，andbeckonedmetoherside，entwiningherfingerswithmineashasalwaysbeenthecustomwithrulersofAtlantisandtheirconsorts。Andtherebeforeusaswesat，abodyofsoldierymarchedup，andopeningoutshowedNaisintheirmidst。Shehadacollarofmetalroundherneck，withchainsdependingfromitfirmlyheldbyabraceofguards，sothatsheshouldnotruninuponthespearsoftheescort，andthusgetaquickandeasydeath，whichisoftenthecustomofthosecondemnedtothemorelingeringpunishments。

Butitwaspleasanttoseethatshestillworeherclothing。

Raiment，whetheroffabricorskin，hasitsvalue，andcustomhasalwaysgiventhegarmentsofthecondemnedtothesoldiersguardingthem。SoasNaiswasnotstripped，Icouldnotbutseethatsomeonehadgivenmoneystotheguardsasarecompense，andinthisI

thoughtIsawthehandofYlga，andfeltagratitudetowardsher。

Thesoldiersbroughtherforwardtotheedgeofthepavilion’sshade，andshewasbiddenprostrateherselfbeforetheEmpress，andthisshewiselydidandsoavoidedroughhandlingandforce。Herfacewaspale，butshowedneitherfearnordefiance，andhereyeswerecalmandnatural。ShewasrememberingwhatwasduetoAtlantis，andIwasthrilledwithloveandprideasIwatchedher。

ButoutwardlyI，too，wasimpassiveasamanofstone，andthoughIknewthatPhorenice’seyewasonmyface，therewasneveranythingonitfromfirsttolastthatIwouldnothavehadhersee。

"Nais，"saidtheEmpress，"youhaveeatenfrommyplatterwhenyouwerefan—girl，anddrunkfrommycup，andwhatwasyoursIgaveyou。Youshouldhavehadmorethangratitude，youshouldhavehadknowledgealsothatthearmoftheEmpresswaslongandherhandconsummatelyheavy。Butitseemsthatyouhaveneitherofthesethings。And，moreover，youhavetriedtotakeacertainmatterthattheEmpresshassetapartforherself。Youwereofferedpardon，onterms，andyourejectedit。Youwerefoolish。ButitisadaynowwhenIaminclinedtoclemency。Presently，seatedonthatcarvedthroneofgranitewhichhehasbuiltmeyonder，IshalltakemyLordDeucaliontohusband。Givemeaplainwordthatyouaresorry，girl，andnameamanwhomyouwouldchoose，andIwillrememberthebrightnessoftheoccasion，youshallbepardonedandwedbeforewerisefromthesecushions。"

"Iwillnotwed，"shesaidquietly。

"Thinkforthelasttime，Nais，ofwhatistheotherchoice。

Youwillbetaken，warm，andquick，andbeautifulasyoustandtherethisminute，andlaidinthehollowplacethatismadebeneaththethrone—stone。Deucalion，thatistobemyhusband，willlayyouinthatawfulbed，asasymbolthatsoshallperishallPhorenice’senemies，andthenhewillreleasetheramsandlowertheupperstoneintoplace，andtheworldshallseeyourfacenomore。Lookatthebrightsky，Nais，fillyourchestwiththesweetwarmair，andthenthinkofwhatthisdeathwillmean。

Believeme，girl，Idonotwanttomakeyouanexampleunlessyouforceme。"

"Iwillnotwed，"saidtheprisonerquietly。

TheEmpressloosedherfingersfrommyarm，andlaybackagainstthecushions。"Ifthegirlpresumesonouroldfamiliarity，orthinksthatIjest，showhernow，Deucalion，thatIdonot。"

"TheEmpressisfarfromjesting，"Isaid。"IwilldothisthingbecauseitisthewishoftheEmpressthatitshouldbedone，andbecauseitisthecommandoftheEmpressthatasymbolofitshallremainforeverasanexampleforothers。Leadyourprisonertotheplace。"

Thesoldierswheeled，andthetwoguardswiththechainsofthecollarwhichwasontheneckofNaispreparedtoputoutforcetodragherupthesteps。Butshewalkedwiththemwillingly，andwithacolourunchanged，andIrosefrommyseat，andmadeobeisancetotheEmpressandfollowedthem。

Beforeallthosetenthousandeyes，wetwomadenodisplayofemotionthen，notonlyforAtlantis’sake，butalsobecausebothNaisandIhadanicetyandaprideinournatures。WewerenotasPhorenicetoflauntendearmentsbeforeothers。

Yet，whenIhadbiddentheguardsunhaspthecollarwhichheldtheprisoner’sneck，andclappedmyarmsaroundher，showingalltheroughnessofonewhohasnomindthathiscaptiveshallescapeorevenundulystruggle，athrillgushedthroughmesopotentthatIwasliketohavefainted，anditwasonlybysupremestrainofwillthatIheldunbrokenlyonwiththeceremonial。I，whohadneverembracedawomanwithaughtbutthearmofroughnessbefore，nowheldpressedtomeonewhomIlovedwithaninfinitetenderness，andtherevelationofhowlovecancomeoutandlinkwithlovewasalmostmyundoing。Yet，outwardly，Naismadesosign，butlayhalf—strangledinmyarms，asanywomandoesthatisbeingborneawaybyaspoiler。

Itrodwithhertotheuppermoststep，thevastthrone—stoneoverhangingus，andthensothatallofthosewhoweregazingfromthesidesofthepyramidsandtheroofsofthebuildingsroundmightsee，thoughwewerebeyondPhorenice’sview，Iusedaforcethatwasbrutalindraggingheracrossthelevel，andputtingherdownintothehollow。Andyetthegirlresistedmewithnooneeffortwhatever。

Sothatthevictimmightnotstruggleoutandbecrushed，andsogainaneasydeathwhenthestonedescended，therewerebrazenclampstofitintogroovesofthestonesabovethehollowwhereshelay，andtheseIfittedinplaceaboveher，andfastenedonebyone，doingthisbutcher’sworkwithonehand，andstillfiercelyholdingherdownbytheother。Gods！andthesweatofagonydrippedfrommeontothethirstystoneasIworked。Icouldnotkeepthatin。

Iclampedandlockedthelasttwobarsinplace，andtookmybrute’shandawayfromherthroat。

Thehatefulfingermarksshowedasbloodlessfurrowsinthewhitenessofherskin。Forthelifeofme，yes，evenforthefateofAtlantis，Icouldnothelpdroppingmyglanceuponherface。

ButshewasstrongerthanI。Shegavemenolastlook。Shekepthereyessteadfastlyfixedonthecruelstoneabove，andsoIlefther，knowingthatitwasbestnottotarrylonger。

Icameoutfromunderthestone，andgavethesigntotheengineerswhostoodbytherams。Thefiresweretakenawayfromtheirsides，andthemetalinthembegantocontract，andslowlythevastbulkofthethrone—stonebegantocreepdowntowardsitsbed。

Butah，soslowly！Gods！howmysoulwastornasIwatchedandwaited。

YetIkeptmyfaceimpassive，overlookingasanyofficermightapieceofworkwhichotherswerecarryingoutunderhisdirection，andonwhichhiscreditrested;andIstoodgravelyinmyplacetilltheramshadletthestonecomedownonitsfinalrestingplace，andhadbeencarriedawaybytheengineers;andthenIwentroundwiththemasterarchitectwithhisplumblineandlevel，whilsthetestedthislastpieceofthebuildinganddeclareditperfect。

Itwasauselessform，thislast，seeingthatbycalculationtheyknewexactlyhowthestonemustrest;buttheguildshavetheirformsandcustoms，andontheseoccasionsofhighceremonial，theyarepunctiliouslycarriedout，becausethesemiddle—classpeoplewishalwaystoappearmysteriousandimpressivetothepoorvulgarfolkwhoaretheirinferiors。ButperhapsIamhardthereonthem。Amanwhoisneedlesslytakenroundtoplumbanddulylevelthetombwherehisloveliesburiedliving，mayperhapsbeexcusedbytheassessorsonhighalittlespiritofbitterness。