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。