"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。