\"YouwereTatho’scaptain？\"
\"Andamstill。Tatho’sfleetwassentbyDasonandhisfriendstothesea—floor，andsowetookthisstinkinggalleytofinishthevoyagein，seeingthatitwastheonlycraftleftafloat。\"
Theport—captainwasrovinghiseyeoverthegroupofuswhostoodontheafter—deck。\"Ifearme，captain，thatyou’llhavebutadangerousreception。IdonotseemyLordDeucalion。Ordoeshecomewithsomeothernavy？Gods，captain，ifyouhavelethimgetkilledwhilstunderyourcharge，theEmpresswillhavetheskintornslowlyoffyouliving。\"
\"WhatwithPhoreniceandTathobothsocuriousforhiswelfare，\"saidTob，\"myLordDeucalionseemsbutadangerouspassenger。ButIshallsavemyhidethisvoyage。\"Hejerkedatmewithhisthumb。\"He’stheretoputinawordformehimself。\"
Theport—captainstaredforamoment，asifunbelieving，andthen，asthoughsatisfied，madeobeisancelikeafellowwellusedtoceremonial。\"Itrustmylord，inhisinfinitestrength，willpardonmysininnotknowinghimbyhisnoblenessbefore。Buttruthtotell，Ihadlookedtoseemylordmoresuitablyapparelled。\"
\"Pish，\"Isaid;\"ifIchoosetodresssimply，Icannotobjecttobeingmistakenforasimpleman。Itisnotmypleasuretoadvertisemyqualitybythegaudsonmygarb。Ifyouthinkamendsareduetome，Iprayofyourcharitythatthisinquisitionmayend。\"
Thefellowwasallbowsandobsequiousness。\"Iamthehumblestofmylord’sservants，\"hesaid。\"Itwillbemyexceedinghonourtopilotmylord’sgalleyintotheberthappointedinharbour。\"
Theboatshotahead，andourgalley—slavesswungintostrokeagain。Tobwatchedmewithadrysmileashestooddirectingthemenatthehelms。
\"Well，\"Isaid，humouringhiswhim，\"whatisit？\"
\"I’mthinking，\"saidTob，\"thatmyLordDeucalionwillremembermeonlyasaveryrudefellowwhenhestepsashoreamongstallthisfinegentility。\"
\"Youdon’tthink，\"saidI，\"anythingofthekind。\"
\"ThenImustprovemyrefinement，\"saidTob，\"andnotcontradict。\"Hepickedupmyhandinhishuge，hardfist，andpressedit。\"BytheGods，Deucalion，youmaybeagreatprince，butI’veonlyknownyouasaman。You’rethefinestfighterofbeastsandmenthatwalksthisworldto—day，andIloveyouforit。
Thatspear—strokeofyoursonthelizardisathingthesingersinthetavernsshallmakechauntsabout。\"
Wedrewrapidlyintotheharbour，thesoldiersintheentrancecastleblowingtheirtrumpetsinwelcomeaswepassedbetweenthem。
Thecaptainoftheporthadrunupmybannertothemastheadofhisboat，havingbeenprovidedwithoneapparentlyforthispurposeofannouncement，andfromthequays，acrossthevastbasinoftheharbour，therepresentlycametousthenoisesofmusicians，andthepaleglowofwelcomingfires，dancingunderthesunlight。I
wasalmostawedtothinkthatanEmpressofAtlantishadcometosuchstraitsastofeelaninterestlikethisinanymerereturningsubject。
Itwasclearthatnothingwastobedonebyhalves。Theport—captain’sboatled，andwehadnochoicebuttofollow。Ourgalleywasrunupalongsidetheroyalquayandmooredtoitspostsandringsofgold，allofwhicharesacredtothereigninghouse。
\"IfDasoncouldonlyhaveforeseenthishonour，\"saidTob，withgrislyjest，\"I’msurehe’dhavelaidinasilkenwarptomakefastonthebollardsinsteadofmereplebeianhemp。I’msurethere’dbeafrownonDason’sheadthisminute，ifthesunhadn’tscorcheditstiff。MyLordDeucalion，willyoupickyourwaywithnicenessoverthiscommonshipandtreadonthegenteelcarpetthey’vespreadforyouonthequayyonder？\"
Theport—captainheardTob’srudebanterandlookedupwithafaceofhorror，andIremembered，withasmallsigh，thatcolonialfreedomwouldhavenoplacehereinAtlantis。OncemoreImustpreparemyselfforallthedignityofrank，andmakereadytotreadtheformalitiesofvastandgorgeousceremonial。
But，bethesethingshowtheymay，aself—respectingmanmustpreservehisindividualityalso，andthoughIconsentedtoenterapavilionofcrimsoncloth，speciallyerectedtosheltermetilltheEmpressshoulddeigntoarrive，theremycomplaisanceended。Againthematterofclotheswasharpedupon。Thethreegorgeouslycaparisonedchamberlains，whohadinductedmetotheshelter，laidbeforemechangesofraimentbedeckedwitheveryimaginablekindoffrippery，andwouldhavemetransformmyselfintoapopinjayinfashionliketheirown。
Curtlyenough，Irefusedtoaltermygarb，andwhenoneofthemstammeringlyreferredtotheEmpress’stastesIaskedhimwithplainnessifhehadgotanydefinitecommandsonthispaltrymatterfromhermightiness。
Ofcourse，hehadtoconfessthattherewerenone。
UponwhichIretortedthatPhorenicehadcommandedDeucalion，theman，toattendbeforeher，andhadsentnowordofherpleasureastohisoutercasing。
\"Thisdress，\"Isaid，\"suitsmytemperwell。Itshieldsmypoorbodyfromtheheatandthewind，and，moreover，itisclean。
Itseemstome，sirs，\"Iadded，\"thatyourinterferingsavourssomewhatofanimpertinence。\"
Withoneaccordthechamberlainsdrewtheirswordsandpushedthehiltstowardsme。
\"Itwouldbeafavour，\"saidtheirspokesman，\"ifthegreatLordDeucalionwouldtakehisvengeancenow，insteadofdeliveringustothetormentorshereafter。\"
\"Poof，\"Isaid，\"thematterisforgotten。Youmaketoomuchofalittle。\"
Nevertheless，theiractiongavemesomeenlightenment。Theywereperfectlyinearnestinofferingmetheswords，andI
recognisedthatthiswasadifferentAtlantisthatIhadcomehometo，whereamanhaddreadofthetortureforameredifferenceconcerningthecutofacoat。
Therewasabathinthepavilion，andinthatIregaledmyselfgladly，thoughtherewassomepaltryscentaddedtothewaterthattookawayhalfitsrefreshingpower;andthenIsetmyselftowaitwithalloutwardcomposureandplacidity。Thechamberlainsweretoowell—bredtobreakintomycalm，andIdidnotcondescendtosmalltalk。Sothereweremained，thefourofus，Isitting，theystanding，withourLordtheSunsmitingheavilyonthescarletroofofthepavilion，whilstthemusicblared，andthewelcomingfiresdispersedtheirodoursfromthegreatpavedsquarewithout，whichfaceduponthequay。
Ithasbeensaidthatthegreatshouldalwayscollectdignitybykeepingthoseoflesserdegreewaitingtheirpleasure，thoughformyselfImustsayIhavealwaysthoughtthestratagempaltryandbeneathme。Phorenicealsoseemedofthisopinion，for（assheherselftoldmelater）atthemomentthatTob’sgalleywasreportedashavingitsflankagainstthemarbleoftheroyalquay，atthatprecisemomentdidshestartoutfromthepalace。Thegorgeousprocessionwasalreadymarshalled，bedecked，andwaitingonlyforitschiefestornament，andassoonasshehadmountedtohersteed，trumpetsgavetheorder，andtheadvancebegan。
Sittinginthedoorwayofthepavilion，Isawthesoldierywhoformedtheheadofthisvastconcourseemergefromthegreatbroadstreetwhereitleftthehouses。Theymarchedstraightacrosstogivemethesalute，andthenrangedthemselvesonthefarthersideofthesquare。ThencametheMariners’Guild，thenmoresoldiers，allmakingobeisanceintheirturn，andpassingontomakeroomforothers。Followingwerethemerchants，thetanners，thespear—makersandalltheotheracknowledgedGuilds，deliberatelyattired（soitseemedtome）thattheymightmakeapageant;andwhilstmostwalkedonfoot，thereweresomewhoproudlyrodeonbeastswhichtheyhadtamedintorenderingthemthismenialservice。
Butpresentlycamethetwowondersofallthatdazzlingspectacle。Fromoutoftheeclipseofthehousesthereswungintotheopennolessabeastthanahugebullmammoth。Thesighthadsufficientsurpriseinitalmosttomakemestart。ManyatimeduringmylifehadIledhuntstokillthemammoth，whenaherdofthemhadraidedsomevillageorcornlandundermycharge。Ihadseenthehugebrutesinthewildground，shaggy，horrid，monstrous;
morefiercethaneventhecave—tigerorthecave—bear;mostdangerousbeastofallthatfightwithmanfordominionoftheearth，saveonlyforafewofthegreaterlizards。Andherewasthiscreature，agiantevenamongstmammoths，yettameasanywell—whippedslave，andbearinguponitsbackagreathalf—castleofgold，stampedwiththeoutstretchedhand，andbedeckedwithsilversnakes。Itsmurderoustusksweregilded，itshairyneckwasgarlandedwithflowers，andittrodonintheprocessionasthoughassistingatsuchpageantrywasthebeginningandendofitsexistence。ItstamenessseemedafittingsymbolofthemasterfulstrengthofthisnewrulerofAtlantis。
Simultaneouslywiththemammoth，therecameintosightthatotherandgreaterwonder，themammoth’smistress，theEmpressPhorenice。Thebeasttookmyeyeatthefirst，fromitsveryuncouthhugeness，fromitsshowofsavagepowerrestrained;buttheladywhosatinthegoldenhalf—castleonitsloftybackquicklydrewawaymygaze，andhelditimmovablefromthenonwardswithaninfiniteattraction。
IstoodtomyfeetwhenthepeoplefirstshoutedatPhorenice’sapproach，andremainedintheporchwayofmyscarletpaviliontillhervaststeedhadhaltedinthecentreofthesquare，andthenIadvancedacrossthepavementtowardsher。
\"Onyourknees，mylord，\"saidoneofthechamberlainsbehindme，inascaredwhisper。
\"Atleastwithbenthead，\"urgedanother。
ButIhadmyownnotionsofwhatisduetoone’sownself—respectinthesematters，andImarchedacrossthebareopenspacewithheaderect，givingtheEmpressgazeforgaze。Shewasclearlysummingmeup。Iwasfranklydoingthelikebyher。Gods！
butthosefewshortsecondsmademeseeawomansuchasIneverimaginedcouldhavelived。
IknowIhaveplaceditonrecordearlierinthiswritingthat，duringallthedaysofalongofficiallife，womenhavehadnoinfluenceoverme。ButIhavebeenquicktoseethattheyoftenhadastrongswayingpoweroverthepoliciesofothers，andasaconsequenceIhavemadeitmybusinesstostudythemevenasIhavestudiedmen。Butthiswomanwhosatunderthesacredsnakesinhergoldenhalf—castleonthemammoth’sback，fairlybaffledme。OfherthoughtsIcouldreadnosinglesyllable。Icouldseeabodyslight，supple，andbeautifullymoulded;infigurerathersmall。
Herfacewasamostperfectbookofcleverness，yetshewasfair，too，beyondbelief，withhairofalovelyruddiness，cutshortinthenewfashion，andbunchingonhershoulders。Andeyes！Gods！
whocouldplumbthedepthsofPhorenice’seyes，orfindinmeretintatraceoftheirheaven—madecolour？
Itwasplain，also，thatsheinherturnwassearchingmedowntomyverysoul，anditseemedthatherscrutinywasnotwithoutitssatisfaction。ShemovedherheadinlittlenodsasIdrewnear，andwhenIdidtherequisiteobeisancepermittedtomyrank，shebademeinavoiceloudandclearenoughforallathandtohear，nevertoputforeheadonthegroundagainonherbehalfsolongassheruledinAtlantis。
\"Forothers，\"shesaid，\"itisfittingthattheyshoulddoso，once，twice，orseveraltimes，accordingtotheirrankandstation，forIamEmpress，andtheyareallsofarbeneathme;butyouareDeucalion，mylord，andthoughtillto—dayIknewyouonlyfrompicturesdrawnwithtongues，Ihaveseenyounow，andhavejudgedformyself。AndsoImakethisdecree:DeucalionisaboveallothermeninAtlantis，andifthereisonewhodoesnotrenderhimobedience，thatmanisenemyalsoofPhorenice，andshallfeelheranger。\"
Shemadeasign，andastairwasbrought，andthenshecalledtome，andImountedandsatbesideherinthegoldenhalf—castleunderthecanopyofroyalsnakes。Thegirlwhostoodbehindinattendancefannedusbothwithperfumedfeathers，andatawordfromPhorenicethemammothwasturned，bearingusbacktowardstheroyalpyramidbythewaythroughwhichithadcome。Atthesametimealsoalltheothermachineryofsplendourwasputinmotion。
Thesoldiersandthegaudilybedeckedciviltradersfellintoprocessionbeforeandbehind，andInotedthatabodyoftroops，heavilyarmed，marchedoneachofthemammoth’sflanks。
Phoreniceturnedtomewithasmile。\"Youpiquedme，\"shesaid，\"atfirst。\"
\"YourMajestyoverwhelmsmewithsomuchnotice。\"
\"Youlookedatmysteedbeforeyoulookedatme。Awomanfindsithardtoforgiveaslightlikethat。\"
\"Ienviedyouthegreatestofyourconquests，anddostill。
Ihavefoughtmammothsmyself，andattimeshavekilled，butI
neverdaredeventothinkoftakingonealiveandbringingitintotameness。\"
\"Youspeakboldly，\"shesaid，stillsmiling，\"andyetyoucanturnaprettycompliment。Faugh！Deucalion，thewaythesepeoplefawnonmegivesmeanausea。Iamnotofthesameclayastheyare，Iknow;butjustbecauseIamthedaughterofGodstheymustneedsfeedmeonthepapofinsincerity。\"
SoTathowasright，andtheswineherdwasforgotten。Well，ifshechosetokeepupthefictionshehadmade，itwasnotmyparttocontradicther。RightlyorwronglyIwasherservant。
\"Ihavebeenpiningthislongenoughforastrongermeatthantheycangive，\"shewenton，\"andatlastIhavesentforyou。I
havebeenatsomepainstoprocuremytongue—picturesofyou，Deucalion，andthoughyoudonotknowmeyet，ImaysayIknewyouwithallthoroughnessevenbeforewemet。Icanadmireamanwithamindgreatenoughtoforegothesillygaudsofclothes，ortheexcessesoffeasts，orthepamperingsofwomen。\"Shelookeddownatherownsilksandherglitteringjewels。\"Wewomenliketocarrycoloursuponourpersons，butthatisadifferentmatter。
AndsoIsentforyouheretobemyminister，andbearwithmetheburdenofruling。\"
\"ThereshouldbebettermeninbroadAtlantis。\"
\"Therearenot，mylord，andIwhoknowthemallbyhearttellyouso。Theyareallenamouredofmypoorperson;theywearymewiththeiremptyphrasesandtheirimportunities;and，thoughtheyarealwaysbrimmingwiththeircriesofservice，theirownadvancementandthefillingoftheirowntreasuriesevercomesfirstwiththem。SoIhavesentforyou，Deucalion，theonestrongmaninalltheworld。Youatleastwillnotsightobemylover？\"
Isawherwatchingformyanswerfromthecornerofhereyes。
\"TheEmpress，\"Isaid，\"ismymistress，andIwillbeanhonestministertoher。WithPhorenice，thewoman，itislikelythatI
shallhavelittleenoughtodo。Besides，Iamnotthesortthatsportswiththistoytheycalllove。\"
\"Andyetyouareapersonablemanenough，\"shesaidratherthoughtfully。\"Butthatstillfurtherprovesyourstrength，Deucalion。Youatleastwillnotloseyourheadthroughweakinfatuationformypoorlooksandgraces。\"——Sheturnedtothegirlwhostoodbehindus。——\"Ylga，fannotsoviolently。\"
Ourtalkbrokeoffthenforthemoment，andIhadtimetolookaboutme。Wewerepassingthroughthechiefstreetinthefairest，themostwonderfulcitythisworldhaseverseen。Ihadleftitascoreofyearsbefore，andwascurioustonoteitsincrease。
Inpublicbuildingsthecityhadcertainlymadegrowth;therewerenewtemples，newpyramids，newpalaces，andstatuaryeverywhere。Itsgreatnessandmagnificenceimpressedmemorestronglyeventhanusual，returningtoitasIdidfromsuchadistanceoftimeandspace，for，thoughthemanycitiesofYucatanmighteachofthembeprincely，thisgreatcapitalwasaplacenottobecomparedwithanyofthem。Itwasimperialandgorgeousbeyonddescriptivewords。
YetmostofallwasIstruckbythepovertyandsqualorwhichstoodinsuchclosetouchwithallthismagnificence。Inthethrongsthatlinedthestreetsthereweregauntbodiesandhungryfaceseverywhere。Hereandtherestoodone，amanorawoman，asnakedasasavageinEurope，andyetdulltoshame。Eventhetrader，withtrumperygaudsonhiscoat，apingtheprevailingfashionfordisplay，hadascared，uneasylooktohisface，asthoughhehadforgottenthemerenameofsafety，andhidafranticheartwithhistawdryoutwardvauntingsofprosperity。
Phorenicereadthedirectionofmylooks。
\"Theseason，\"shesaid，\"hasbeenunhealthyofrecentmonths。
Theselowerpeoplewillnotbuildfinehousestoadornmycity，andbecausetheychoosetoliveonintheirsqualid，unsightlykennels，therehavebeencalenturesandothersicknessesamongstthem，whichmakethemdisinclinedforwork。Andthen，too，forthemoment，earningisnoteasy。Indeed，youmaysaytradeisnearlystoppedthislasthalf—year，sincetherebelshavebeenhammeringsolustilyatmycitygates。\"
Iwasfairlystartledoutofmydecorum。
\"Rebels！\"Icried。\"WhoarehammeringatthegatesofAtlantis？Isthecityinastateofsiege？\"
\"Oftheircondescension，\"saidPhorenicelightly，\"theyaregivingusholidayto—day，andso，happily，mywelcometoyoucomesundisturbed。Iftheywerefighting，yourearswouldhavetoldyouofit。Togivethemtheirdue，theyarenoisyenoughinalltheirefforts。Myspiessaytheyaremakingreadynewenginesforuseagainstthewalls，whichyoumaysallyoutto—morrowandbreakifitgivesyouamusement。Butforto—day，Deucalion，Ihaveyou，andyouhaveme，andthereispeaceroundus，andsomeprettinessofdisplay。IfyouaskformoreIwillgiveityou。\"
\"Ididnotknowofthisrebellion，\"Isaid，\"butasYourMajestyhasmademeyourminister，itiswellthatIshouldknowallaboutitsscopeatonce。Thisisamatterweshouldbeseriousupon。\"
\"AnddoyouthinkIcannottakeitseriouslyalso？\"sheretorted。\"Ylga，\"shesaidtothegirlthatstoodbehind，\"setloosemydressattheshoulder。\"
Andwhentheattendanthadunlinkedthejewelledclasp（asitseemedtomewithaveryillgrace），sheherselfstrippeddownthefabric，baringthepureskinbeneath，andshowingmejustbelowthecurveoftheleftbreastabandageofbloodstainedlinen。
\"Thereisaguaranteeofmyseriousnessyesterday，atanyrate，\"shesaid，lookingatmesidelong。\"Thearrowstruckonaribandthatsavedme。Ifithadstruckbetween，Deucalionwouldhavebeenstandingbesidemyfuneralpyreto—dayinsteadofridingonthisprettysteedofminewhichheadmiressomuch。Youreyeseemstofeastitselfmostonthemammoth，Deucalion。Ah，poorme。
Iamnotoneofyourshaggycreatures，andsoitseemsIshallneverbeabletocatchyourregard。Ylga，\"shesaidtothegirlbehind，\"youmaylinkmydressupagainwithitsclasp。MyLordDeucalionhasseenwoundsbefore，andthereisnothingelseheretointeresthim。\"
5。ZAEMON’SCURSE
ItappearedthatforthepresentatanyrateIwastohavemyresidenceintheroyalpyramid。Theglitteringcavalcadedrewupinthegreatpavedsquarewhichliesbeforethebuilding，andmasseditselfingroups。Themammothwashaltedbeforethedoorway，andwhenastairhadbeenbrought，thetrumpetssounded，andwethreewhohadriddeninthegoldenhalf—castleunderthecanopyofsnakes，descendedtotheground。
Itwasplainthatweweregoingfrombeneaththeopenskytotheapartmentswhichlayinsidethevaststonemazesofthepyramid，andwithoutthinking，theinstinctofcustomandreverencethathadbecomepartofmynaturecausedmetoturntowherethetoweringrocksoftheSacredMountainfrownedabovethecity，andmaketheusualobeisance，andofferupinsilencetheprescribedprayer。IsayIdidthisthingunthinking，andasamatterofcommoncustom，butwhenIrosetomyfeet，IcouldhaveswornI
heardatitteroflaughterfromsomewhereinthatfancifullybedeckedcrowdofonlookers。
Iglancedinthedirectionofthescoffers，frowninglyenough，andthenIturnedtoPhorenicetodemandtheirpromptpunishmentforthedisrespect。Butherewasastrangething。Ihadlookedtoseeherintheactandarticleofrisingfromanobeisance;butthereshewas，standingerect，andhadclearlynevertouchedherforeheadtotheground。Moreover，shewasregardingmewithaqueerlookwhichIcouldnotfathom。
Butwhateverwasinhermind，shehadnoplantobawlaboutitthenbeforethepeoplecollectedinthesquare。Shesaidtome，\"Come，\"and，turningtothedoorway，criedforentrance，givingthesecretwordappointedfortheday。Theponderousstoneblocks，whichbarredtheporch，swungbackontheirhinges，andwithstatelytreadshepassedoutofthehotsunshineintothecoolgloombeyond，withthefan—girlfollowingdecorouslyatherheels。
Withaheavinessbeginningtogrowatmyheart，Itoowentinsidethepyramid，andthestonedoors，withasullenthud，closedbehindus。
Wedidnotgofarjustthen。Phorenicehaltedinthehallofwaiting。HowwellIrememberedtheplace，withthepicturesofkingsonitsredwalls，andtheburningfountainofearth—breathwhichblazedfromajetofbronzeinthemiddleoftheflooringandgaveitlight。TheoldKingthatwasgonehadcomethisfarofhiscomplaisancewhenhebademefarewellasIsetouttwentyyearsbeforeformyvice—royaltyinYucatan。Buttheairofthehallwasdifferenttowhatithadbeeninthoseolddays。Thenitwaspureandsweet。Nowitwasheavywithsomescent，andIfounditlanguidandoppressive。
\"Myminister，\"saidtheEmpress，\"Iacquityouofintentionalinsult;butIthinkthecolonialairhasmadeyouaverysimpleman。SuchanobeisanceasyoushowedtothatmountainnotaminutesincehasnotbeenmadesinceIwassenttoreignoverthiskingdom。\"
\"YourMajesty，\"Isaid，\"IamamemberofthePriests’Clanandwasbroughtupintheirtenets。Ihavebeentaught，beforeenteringahouse，tothanktheGods，andmoreespeciallyourLordtheSun，forthegoodairthatHeandTheyhaveprovided。Ithasbeenmyfatemorethanoncetobechasedbystreamsoffireandstinkingairamongstthemountainsduringoneoftheirsuddenboils，andsoIcansaytheprescribedprayeruponthismatterstraightfrommyheart。\"
\"CircumstanceshavechangedsinceyouleftAtlantis，\"saidPhorenice，\"andwhenthanksaregivennow，theyarenotthrownatthoseoldGods。\"
Isawhermeaning，andalmoststartedattheimpietyofit。
Ifthiswastobethenewruleofthings，Iwouldhavenohandinit。Fatemightdealwithmeasitchose。Toservetrulyareigningmonarch，thatIwaspreparedfor;buttopalterwithsacrilege，andacceptaswineherd’sdaughterasaGod，whoshouldreceiveprayersandobeisances，revoltedmymanhood。SoIinvitedacrisis。
\"Phorenice，\"Isaid，\"Ihavebeenapriestfrommychildhoodup，reveringtheGods，andgrowingintimatewiththeirmysteries。
TillIfindformyselfthatthoseoldthingsarefalse，Imuststandbythatallegiance，andifthereisacostforthisfaithfulnessImustpayit。\"
Shelookedatmewithaslowsmile。\"Youareastrongman，Deucalion，\"shesaid。
Ibowed。
\"Ihaveheardothersasstubborn，\"shesaid，\"buttheywereconverted。\"Sheshookouttheruddybunchesofherhair，andstoodsothatthelightoftheburningearth—breathmightfallonthelovelinessofherfaceandform。\"Ihavefounditaseasytoconvertthestubbornastoburnthem。Indeed，therehasbeenlittletalkofburning。Theyhaveallrushedtoconversion，whetherIwouldorno。Butitseemsthatmypoorlooksandtonguearewantingincharmto—day。\"
\"PhoreniceisEmpress，\"Isaidstolidly，\"andIamherservant。To—morrow，ifshegivesmeleave，Iwillclearawaythisrabblewhichclamoursoutsidethewalls。Imustbegintoprovemyuses。\"
\"Iamtoldyouareaprettyfighter，\"saidshe。\"Well，Iholdsomesmallskillinarmsmyself，andhaveaconceitthatIamsomethingofajudge。To—morrowwewilltakeatasteofbattletogether。Butto—dayImustcarrythroughthehonourablereceptionIhaveplannedforyou，Deucalion。Thefeastwillbesetreadysoon，andyouwillwishtomakereadyforthefeast。Therearechambershereselectedforyouruse，andstoredwithwhatisneedful。Ylgawillshowyoutheirplaces。\"
Wewaited，thefan—girlandI，tillPhorenicehadpassedoutoftheglowofthelight—jet，andhadleftthehallofwaitingthroughadoorwayamongsttheshadowsofitsfartherangle，andthen（thegirltakingalampandleading）wealsothreadedourwaythroughthenarrowmazesofthepyramid。
Everywheretheairwasfullofperfumes，andeverywherethepassagesturnedandtwistedanddoubledthroughthesolidstoneofthepyramid，sothatstrangersmighthavespenthours——yes，ordays——insearchbeforetheycametothechambertheydesired。
Therewasafinecunningnessaboutthoseforgottenbuilderswhosetupthisroyalpyramid。Theyhadnomindthatkingsshouldfallbythehandofvulgarassassinswhomightcomeinsuddenlyfromoutside。Anditissaidalsothatthekingofthetime，tomakedoublysure，killedallthathadbuiltthepyramid，orseeneventhelayofitsinnerstones。
Butthefan—girlledthewaywiththelampswinginginherhand，asoneaccustomedtothemazes。Hereshedoubled，theresheturned，andhereshestoppedinthemiddleofablankwalltopushastone，whichswungtoletuspass。Andonceshepressedatthecornerofaflagstoneonthefloor，whichreareduptothethrustofherfoot，andshowedusastairsteepandnarrow。Thatwedescended，comingtothefootofaninclinedwaywhichledusupwardagain;andsobydegreeswecameuntothechamberwhichhadbeengivenformyuse。
\"Thereisraimentinallthesechestswhichstandbythewalls，\"
saidthegirl，\"andjewelsandgaudsinthatbronzecoffer。
TheyarePhorenice’sfirstpresents，shebidmesay，andbutasmallearnestofwhatistocome。MyLordDeucalioncandrophissimplicitynow，andfighimselfoutinfinerytosuitthefashion。\"
\"Girl，\"Isaidsharply，\"bemoredecorouswithyourtongue，andsparemesuchsmalladvice。\"
\"IfmyLordDeucalionthinksthisarudeness，hecangiveawordtoPhorenice，andIshallbewhipped。Ifheasksit，Icanbestrippedandscourgedbeforehim。TheEmpresswilldomuchforDeucalionjustnow。\"
\"Girl，\"Isaid，\"youarenearertothatwhippingthanyouthinkfor。\"
\"Ihavegotaname，\"sheretorted，lookingatmesullenlyfromunderherblackbrows。\"TheycallmeYlga。Youmighthaveheardthataswerodehereonthemammoth，hadyounotbeensowrappedupinPhorenice。\"
Igazedathercuriously。\"Youhaveneverseenmebefore，\"I
said，\"andthefirstwordsyouutterarethosethatmightwellbringtroubletoyourself。Thereissomeobjectinallthis。\"
Shewentandpushedtothemassivestonethatswunginthedoorwayofthechamber。Thensheputherlittlejewelledfingersonmygarmentanddrewmecarefullyawayfromtheairshaftintothefarthercorner。\"IamthedaughterofZaemon，\"shesaid，\"whomyouknew。\"
\"Youbringmesomemessagefromhim？\"
\"HowcouldI？Helivesinthepriests’dwellingsontheMountainyoudidobeisanceto。Ihavenotputeyesonhimthesetwoyears。ButwhenIsawyoufirststepoutfromthatredpaviliontheyhadpitchedattheharbourside，I——Ifeltapityforyou，Deucalion。Irememberedyouweremyfather’s，Zaemon’s，friend，andIknewwhatPhorenicehadinstore。Shehasbeenplottingitallthesetwomonths。\"
\"IcannothearwordsagainsttheEmpress。\"
\"Andyet——\"
\"What？\"
Shestampedhersandaluponthestoneofthefloor。\"Youmustbeaveryblindman，Deucalion，oraverydaringone。ButIshallnotinterferefurther;atleastnotnow。Still，Ishallwatch，andifatanytimeyouseemtowantafriendIwilltryandserveyou。\"
\"Ithankyouforyourfriendship。\"
\"Youseemtotakeitlightlyenough。Why，sir，evennowIdonotbelieveyouknowmypower，anymorethanyouguessmymotive。