Youmaybefirstmaninthiskingdom，butletmetellyouIrankassecondlady。Andremember，womenstandhighinAtlantisnow。
Believeme，myfriendshipisacommoditythathasbeensoughtwithfrequenceandindustry。\"
\"AndasIsay，Iamgratefulforit。Youseemtothinklittleenoughofmygratitude，Ylga;but，creditme，Ineverhavebestoweditonawomanbefore，andsoyoushouldtreasureitforitsrarity。\"
\"Well，\"shesaid，\"mylord，thereisaneducationbeforeyou。\"
Sheleftmethen，showingmehowtocallslaveswhenIwishedfortheirhelp，andforafullminuteIstoodwonderingatthewordsI
hadspokentoher。WhowasthedaughterofZaemonthatsheshouldinducemetochangethehabitofalifetime？
Theslavescameatmybidding，andshowedthemselvesanxioustodeckmewithathousandfoolishnessesinthematterofrobesandgauds，and（whatseemedtobethemodernfashionoftheirclass）
holdingoutthevirtuesofascoreofperfumesandunguents。Theirmannerirritatedme。CleanIwasalready，andshaved;myhairwastrim，andmyrobewasunsoiled;and，consideringthesepressingattentionsoftheirssomethingofanimpertinence，Isetthemtobeatoneanotherasapunishment，promisingthatiftheydidnotdoitwiththoroughness，Iwouldhandthemontothebrandertobemarkedwithstripeswhichwouldendure。Itisstrange，butacommonmenialcanoftensurpassevenarebelliousgeneralinpowerofrufflingone。
Ihadseenmanystrangesightsthatday，andundergonemanynewsensations;butofallthethingswhichcametomynotice，Phorenice’smannerofsummoningthegueststoherfeastsurprisedmemost。Nay，itdidmore;itshockedmeprofoundly;andIcannotsaywhetheramazementatherprofanity，orwonderatherpower，wasforthemomentstrongestinmybreast。Isatinmychamberawaitingthesummons，whengradually，growingoutofnothing，asoundfelluponmyearwhichincreasedinvolumewithinfinitelysmallgraduations，tillatlastitbecameaclangingdinwhichhurttheearwithitsfierceness;andthen（Iguessedwhatwascoming）
thewholemassivefabricofthepyramidtrembledandgroanedandshook，asthoughithadbeenmerelyachild’swoodentoybrushedaboutbyastrongman’ssandal。
ItwastheportentservedoutyearlybythechiefsofthePriests’ClanontheSacredMountain，whentheybadealltheworldtakecountoftheirsins。Itwasthesacredreminderthatfromroaring，ragingfire，andfromtheagonyofmonstrousearth—tremors，manhadbeenborn，andthatbythesesameagencieshewouldeventuallybeswallowedup——heandthesinswithinhisbreast。AndheretheEmpresswasprostitutingitssolemnitiesintoamerecalltogluttony，andsignforribaldlaughterandsensuousdisplay。
Buthowhadsheacquiredtheauthoritytodothisthing？Whowasshethatsheshouldtamperwiththosedimlyunderstoodpowers，theforcesthatdwellwithintheliquidheartofourmotherearth？
Hadtherebeentreachery？HadsomememberofthePriests’Clanforgottenhissacredvows，andbabbledtothiswomanmattersconcerningtheholymysteries？OrhadPhorenicediscoveredakeytothesemysterieswithherownagilebrain？
Ifthatlastwasthecase，Icouldcontinuetoserveherwithsilentconscience。Thoughshemightbenoneofmymaking，atleastshewasEmpress，anditwasmydutytogiveherobedience。ButifshehadsubornedsomeweakermemberoftheClanontheSacredMount，thatwouldbeadifferentmatter。Forbeitrememberedthatitwasoneoftheelementsofourconstitutiontopreserveoursecretsandmysteriesinviolate，andtopursuewithundyinghatredboththemanwhohaddaredtobetraythem，andtheunhappyrecipientofhisconfidence。
Itwaswithveryundecidedfeelings，then，thatIobeyedthesummonsoftheearth—shaking，andbadetheslavesleadmethroughthewindingsofthepyramidtothegreatbanqueting—hall。Thescenetherewasdazzling。Themajesticchamberwithitsmarvellouscarvingswasfilledwithacompanydeckedoutwithallthegaudsandcoloursthatfancycouldconceive。Littlereckedtheyofthesolemnportentwhichhadsummonedthemtothemeal，ofthedeathandmiserythatstalkedopenlythroughthecitywardswithout，oftherebelswhichlayinleaguerbeyondthe，walls，oftheneglectedGodsandtheirclanofpriestsontheSacredMountain。Theywereallgluttonousforthepassionsofthemoment;itwastheirfashionandconceittolookatnothingbeyond。
Flamingjetsofearth—breathlitthegreathalltothebrightnessofmidday;andwhenIsteppedoutuponthepavement，trumpetsblared，sothatallmightknowofmycoming。Buttherewasnoroarofwelcome。\"Deucalion，\"theylispedwithmincingvoices，bowingthemselvesridiculouslytothegroundsothatalltheirornamentsandsilksmightjangleandswish。Indeed，whenPhoreniceherselfappeared，andallsentuptheircriesandmadelawfulobeisance，therewasthesameartificialityinthewelcome。
Theymeantwellenough，itistrue;butthiswasthenewfashion。
Heartinesshadcometobeaccountedabarbarismbythisnewculture。
Apairofposturing，smirkingchamberlainstookmeincharge，andusheredmewiththeirflimsygoldenwandstothedaisatthefartherend。ItappearedthatIwastositonPhorenice’sdivan，andeatmymeatoutofherdish。
\"ThereisnostinttothehonourtheEmpressputsuponme，\"I
said，asIkneltdownandtookmyseat。
Shegavemeoneofherqueer，sidelonglooks。\"Deucalionmayhavemorebeside，ifheasksforitprettily。Hemayhavewhatalltheothermenintheknownworldhavesighedfor，andwhatnoneofthemwilleverget。ButIhavegivenenoughofmyownaccord;hemustaskmewarmlyforthosefurtherfavours。\"
\"Iask，\"Isaid，\"first，thatImaysweeptheboundariesclearofthisrabblewhichisclamouringagainstthecitywalls。\"
\"Pah，\"shesaid，andfrowned。\"Haveyouappetiteonlyforthesternerpleasuresoflife？MygoodDeucalion，theymusthavebeenrusticfolkinthatcolonyofyours。Well，youshallgivemenewsnowofthetoothsomenessofthisfeast。\"
Dishesandgobletswereplacedbeforeus，andwebegantoeat，thoughIhadlittleenoughappetiteforvictualsobrokenandsohighlyspiced。Butifthisfinickingcookeryandtheselusciouswinesdidnotappealtome，theotherdinersinthatgorgeoushallappreciateditalltothefull。Theysataboutingroupsonthepavementbeneaththelight—jetslikeatangleofrainbowsforcolour，andaccordingtothenewcustomtheywentintorapturesandecstasiesovertheirenjoyment。Womenandmenboth，theylingeredovereachtitillationofthepalateasthoughitwereacaressoftheGods。
Phorenice，withherquick，brighteyes，lookedon，andoccasionallyflungoneoranotherafewwordsbetweenhertalkwithme，andnowandagaincalledsomefavouredcreatureuptoreceiveascrapofviandfromtheroyaldish。Thisthehonouredonewouldeatwithextravagantgesture，or（ashappenedtwice）wouldputitawayinthefoldsofhisclothesasatreasuretoodeartobeprofanedbyhumanlips。
Tome，thisflatteryappearedgrossanddisgustful，butPhorenice，throughuse，perhaps，seemedtotakeitasmerelyherdue。Therewas，onehadtosuppose，aweaknessinhersomewhere，thoughtrulytotheoutwardseeingnonewasapparent。Herfacewasstrongenough，anditwassubtlealso，and，moreover，itwaswondrouscomely。Allthecourtiersinthebanqueting—hallravedaboutPhorenice’sfaceandtheotherbeautiesofherbodyandlimbs，andthoughnotgiventoappreciationinthesematters，I
couldnotbutseethathereatleasttheyhadagroundworkfortheiradmiration，forsurelytheGodshaveneverfavouredmortalwomanmorehighly。Yetlovelythoughshemightbe，formyselfI
preferredtolookuponYlga，thegirl，who，becauseofherrank，wasprivilegedtositonthedivanbehindusasimmediateattendant。TherewasanhonestyinYlga’sfacewhichPhorenice’slacked。
Theydidnoteattonutrifytheirbodies，thesefeastersinthebanqueting—halloftheroyalpyramid，buttheyallatetocloythemselves，andtheystruttedforthnewusageswitheveryplatterandbowlthattheslavesbrought。Tomesomeoftheirmannerswerecloselytouchingondisrespect。Atthehalfwayofthemeal，agorgeouspopinjay——hewasagovernorofanout—provincedrivenintothecapitalbyarebellioninhisownlands——thisgorgeousfop，I
say，walkedupbetweenthegroupsoffeasterswithflushedfaceandunsteadygait，anddidobeisancebeforethedivan。\"MostastoundingEmpress，\"criedhe，\"fairestamongtheGoddesses，Queenregnantofmyadoringheart，hail！\"
Phorenicewithasmilestretchedhimouthercup。Ilookedtoseehimpourrespectfullibation，butnosuchthing。Hesetthedrinktohislipsanddrainedittothefinaldrop。\"Mayallyourtroubles，\"hecried，\"passfromyouaseasily，andleaveaspleasantaflavour。\"
TheEmpressturnedtomewithoneofherquicklooks。\"Youdonotlikethisnewhabit？\"
TowhichIrepliedbluntlyenoughthattopouroutliquorataperson’sfeethadgrownthroughcustomtobeamarkofrespect，butthatdrinkingitseemedtomemereself—indulgence，whichmightbepractisedanywhere。
\"Youstillkeeptotheoldaustereteachings，\"shesaid。\"Ournewercodebidsusenjoylifefirst，andorderotherthingssoasnottomeddlewithourmoreimmediatepleasure。\"
Andsothefeastwenton，theguestspractisingtheirgluttoniesandtheirabsurdities，andtheguardsstandingtotheirarmsroundthecircuitofthewallsasmotionlessandassternasthestatuescarveninthewhitestonebeyondthem。Butatermwasputtotheorgywithsomethingofsuddenness。Therewasastiratthefartherdoorwayofthebanqueting—hall，andaclash，astwooftheguardsjoinedtheirspearsacrosstheentrance。Butthemantheytriedtostop——orperhapsitwastopin——passedthemunharmed，andwalkedupoverthepavementbetweenthelights，andthegroupsoffeasters。Alllookedroundathim;afewthrewhimribaldwords;butnoneventuredtostophisprogress。Afew，womenchiefly，Icouldsee，shudderedashepassedthemby，asthoughawintrychillhadcomeoverthem;andintheendhewalkedupandstoodinfrontofPhorenice’sdivan，andgazedfixedlyonher，butwithoutmakingobeisance。
Hewasafrailoldman，withwhitehairtumblingonhisshoulders，andraggedwhitebeard。Themudofwayfaringhunginclotsonhisfeetandlegs。Hiswizenedbodywasbaresaveforasingleclothwoundabouthisshouldersandhisloins，andhecarriedinhishandawandwiththesymbolofourLordtheSunglowingatitstip。Thatwandwenttoshowhiscaste，butinnootherwaycouldIrecognizehim。
ItookhimforoneofthoseasceticsofthePriests’Clan，whohadforswornthesteadynurturedlifeoftheSacredMountain，andwholivedoutinthedangerouslandsamongsttheburninghills，wherethereisdailyperilfromfallingrocks，fromfirestreams，fromevilvapours，fromsuddenfissuringoftheground，andfromothermovementsofthoseunstableterritories，andfromthegreaterlizardsandothermonstrousbeastswhichhauntthem。ThesekeepconstantinthememorythemightoftheHolyGods，andtheinsecurityofthisfrailearthonwhichwehaveourresting—place，andsothesojournerstherebecomechastenedinthespirit，andgainpowerovermysterieswhicheventhemoststudiousandlearnedofothermencanneverhopetoattain。
Asilencefilledtheroomwhentheoldmancametohishalt，andPhorenicewasthefirsttobreakit。\"Thosetwoguards，\"shesaid，inherclear，carryingvoice，\"whoheldthedoor，arenotequaltotheirwork。Icannothaveimperfectservants;removethem。\"
Thesoldiersnextintherankliftedtheirspearsanddrovethemhome，andthetwofellowswhohadadmittedtheoldmanfelltotheground。Oneshriekedonce，theothergavenosound:theywerecleverthrustsboth。
Theoldmanfoundhisvoice，thin，andhigh，andbroken。
\"Anothercrimeaddedtoyourtally，Phorenice。NothalfyourarmycouldhavehinderedmyentrancehadIwishedtocome，andletmetellyouthatIamheretobringyouyourlastwarning。TheGodshaveshownyoumuchfavour;theygaveyoumeritbywhichyoucouldriseaboveyourfellows，tillatlastonlythethronestoodaboveyou。ItwasseengoodbythoseontheSacredMountaintoletyouhavethislastambition，andsitonthisthronethathasaslongandhonourablybeenfilledbytheancientkingsofAtlantis。\"
TheEmpresssatbackonthedivansmiling。\"IseemedtogetthesethingsasIchose，andinspiteofyourfriends’teeth。I
mayowetoyou，oldman，asmallparcelofthanks，thoughthatI
offeredtorepay;butformylordsthepriests，theirpermissionwasofsmallenoughvaluewhenitcame。IwouldhaveyourememberthatIwasasfirmonthethroneofAtlantisasthispyramidstandsuponitsbasewhenyourworn—outpriestscameuptogivetheirtotteringbenediction。\"
Theoldmanwavedasideherinterruption。\"Hearmeout，\"hesaid。\"Iamherewithnotrivialmessage。ThereisnothingpaltryaboutthethreatIcanthrowatyou，Phorenice。Withyourfire—tubes，yourhandlingoftroops，andyourotherfiendishclevernesses，youmaynotbeeasytooverthrowbymerehumanmeans，though，forsooth，thesepoorrebelswhoyapagainstyourcitywallshavecontrivedtoholdtheirgroundforlongenoughnow。Itmaybethatyouarebecomingenervated;Idonotknow。Itmaybethatyouaretoowrappedupinyourfeastings，yourdressings，yourpomps，andyourdebaucheries，tofindleisuretoturntotheartofwar。
Itmaybethattheman’sspirithasgoneoutfromyourarmandbrain，andyouareawomanoncemore——weak，andpleasure—loving;
againIdonotknow。
\"Butthismusthappen:Youmustundotheevilyouhavedone;
youmustgivebreadtothepeoplewhoarestarving，evenifyoutakeitfromthesegluttonsinthishall;youmustrestoreAtlantistothestateinwhichitwasentrustedtoyou:orelseyoumustberemoved。Itcannotbepermittedthatthecountryshouldsinkbackintothelawlessnessandbarbarismfromwhichitsancientkingshavediggedit。Youhear，Phorenice。Nowgivemetrueanswer。\"
\"Speakhimfair。Oh！Forthesakeofyourfortune，speakhimfair，\"cameYlga’svoiceinahurriedwhisperfrombehindus。ButtheEmpresstooknonoticeofit。Sheleanedforwardonthecushionsofthedivanwithaknitbrow。
\"Doyoudaretothreatenme，oldman，knowingwhatIam？\"
\"Iknowyourorigin，\"hesaidgravely，\"aswellasyouknowityourself。Asformydaring，thatisasmallmatter。HeneedbebutatimidmanwhodarestosaywordsthattheHighGodsputonhislips。\"
\"IshallrulethiskingdomasIchoose。Ishallbrookinterferencefromnocreatureonthisearth，orbeneathit，orintheskyabove。TheGodshavechosenmetobeTheirregentinAtlantis，andTheydonotdeposemethroughsuchcreaturesasyou。
Goaway，oldman，andplaythefanaticinanothercourt。ItiswellthatIhaveanancientkindlinessforyou，oryouwouldnotleavethisplaceunharmed。\"
\"Now，indeed，youarelost，\"IheardYlgamurmurfrombehind，andtheoldmaninfrontofusdidnotmoveastep。Instead，helifteduptheSymbolofourLordtheSun，andlaunchedhiscurse。
\"YourblasphemygivesthereplyIaskedfor。HearmenowmakedeclarationofwaronbehalfofThoseagainstwhomyouhavethrownyourinsults。YoushallbeoverthrownandsenttothenetherGods。
Atwhatevercostthelandshallbepurgedofyouandyours，andalltheevilthathasbeendonetoitwhilstyouhavesulliedthethroneofitsancientkings。Youwillnotamend，neitherwillyouyieldtamely。Youvauntthatyousitasfirmonyourthroneasthispyramidreposesonitsbase。Seehowlittleyouknowofwhatthefuturecarries。Isaytoyouthat，whilstyouareyetEmpress，youshallseethisroyalpyramidwhichyouhavepollutedwithyourdebaucheriestorntierfromtier，andstonefromstone，andscatteredasfeathersspreadbeforeawind。\"
\"Youmaywreckthepyramid，\"saidPhorenicecontemptuously。
\"Imyselfhavesomeknowledgeoftheearthforces，asIhaveshownthisnight。Butthoughyoucrumbleeverystoneaboveusnowandgrinditintogritanddust，IshallstillbeEmpress。WhatforcecanyoucrazypriestsbringagainstmethatIcannotthrowbackanddestroy？\"
\"Wehaveaweaponthatwasforgedinnomortalsmithy，\"
shrilledtheoldman，\"whereofthekeyisnowlodgedintheArkoftheMysteries。Butthatweaponcanbeusedonlyasalastresource。Thenatureofitevenistooawfultobetoldinwords。
Ourotherpowerswillbelaunchedagainstyoufirst，andforthispoorcountry’ssakeIpraythattheymaycauseyoutowince。Yetrestassured，Phorenice，thatweshallnotstepasideoncewehaveputahandtothismatter。Weshallcarryitthrough，eventhoughthecostbeauniversalburninganddestruction。Forknowthis，daughteroftheswineherd，itisagreedamongstthemostHighGodsthatyouaretoofullofsintocontinueunchecked。\"
\"Speakhimfairly，\"Ylgaurgedfrombehind。\"Hehasapoweratwhichyoucannotevenguess。\"
TheEmpressmadetorise，butYlgaclungtoherskirt。\"Forthesakeofyourfame，\"sheurged，\"forthesakeofyourlife，donotdefyhim。\"ButPhorenicestruckherfiercelyaside，andfacedtheoldmaninatumultofpassion。\"Youdarecallmeablasphemer，whoblasphemeyourself？Youdarecastslursuponmybirth，whoamcomedirectfromthemosthighHeaven？Oldman，yourcrazinessprotectsyouinpart，butnotinall。Youshallbewhipped。Doyouhearme？Isay，whipped。Theleanfleshshallbescourgedfromyourscraggybones，andyoushalltotterawayfromthisplaceasaredandbleedingexampleforthosewhowoulddaretraducetheirEmpress。Here，someofyou，Isay，takethatman，andlethimbewhippedwherehestands。\"
Hercrywentoutclearlyenough。Butnotasoulamongstthoseglitteringfeastersstirredinhisplace。Notasoldieramongsttheguardssteppedfromhisrank。Theplacewashunginaterriblesilence。Itseemedasthoughnoonewithinthehalldaredsomuchastodrawabreath。Allfeltthattheveryairwasbigwithfate。
Phorenice，withherheadcrouchedforward，lookedfromonegrouptoanother。Herfacewasworking。\"HaveInotrueservants，\"sheasked，\"amongstallyouprettylip—servers？\"
Stillnoonemoved。Theystood，orsat，orcrouchedlikepeoplefascinated。Formyself，withthefirstwordshehaduttered，Ihadrecognizedtheoldmanbyhisvoice。ItwasZaemon，theweakgovernorwhohadgiventheEmpressherfirststeptowardspower;thatearnestsearcherintothemysteries，whoknewmoreoftheirpowers，andmoreaboutthehiddenforces，thananyotherdwellerontheSacredMountain，evenatthattimewhenIleftformycolony。Andnow，duringhisstrangehermitlife，howmuchmoremighthenothavelearned？Iwastornbywarringduties。IowedmuchtothePriests’Clan，byreasonofmyoathandmembership;itseemedIowednolesstoPhorenice。And，again，wasZaemonthetrulyaccreditedenvoyofthehighcouncilofthepriestsoftheSacredMountain？AndwastheEmpressofatruthdeposedbytheHighGodsabove，orwasshestillEmpress，andstillthecommanderofmyduty？Icouldnottell，andsoIsatinmyseatawaitingwhattheeventwouldsow。
Phorenice’sfurywasgrowing。\"DoIstandalonehere？\"shecried。\"HaveIpamperedyoucreaturesoutofalltouchwithgratitude？ItseemsthatatlastIwantanewchieftomyguards。
Ho！WhowillbechiefoftheguardsoftheEmpress？\"
Therewasashiftingofeyes，ahesitation。Thenagreatburlyformstrodeupfromthefartherendofthehall，andaperceptibleshudderwentupfromalltheothersastheywatchedhim。
\"So，Tarca，youprefertotaketherisks，andremainchiefoftheguardyourself？\"shesaidwithanangryscoff。\"Trulytheredidnotseemtobemanythrustingforwardtostripyouoftheoffice。Ishallhaveafinesortingupofplacesinpaymentforthisnight’swork。Butforthepresent，Tarca，doyourduty。\"
Themancameup，obviouslytimorous。Hewasasolidlymadefellow，butnotaltogetherunmartial，andthoughbutlittleofhischeekshowedabovehisdecoratedbeard，Icouldseethathepaledashecameneartothepriest。\"Mylord，\"hesaidquietly，\"Imustaskyoutocomewithme。\"
\"Standaside，\"saidtheoldman，thrustingouttheSymbolinfrontofhim。Icouldseehiseyesgatheronthesoldierandhisbrowsknitwithastrainofwill。
Tarcasawthistoo，andIthoughthewouldhavefallen，butwithanefforthekepthismanhood，anddoggedlyrepeatedhissummons。\"Imustobeythecommandofmymistress，andIwouldhaveyouremember，mylord，thatIambutaservant。Youmustcomewithmetothewhip。\"
\"Iwarnyou！\"criedtheoldman。\"Standfromoutofmypath，you！\"
Itmusthavebeenwiththecourageofdesperationthatthesoldierdaredtouseforce。Butthehandhestretchedoutdroppedlimplybacktohissidethemomentittouchedtheoldman’sbareshoulder，asthoughithadbeenstruckbysomeshock。Heseemedalmosttohaveexpectedsomesuchrepulse;yetwhenhepickedupthathandwiththeother，andlookedatit，andsawitswhiteness，heletoutofhimayelllikeawoundedbeast。\"Oh，Gods！\"hecried。\"Notthat。Spareme！\"
ButZaemonwasgloweringathimstill。Atwitchingseizedtheman’sface，andheputuphissoundhandtoitandpluckedathisbeard，whichwascurledandplaitedafterthenewfashionoftheday。Awomanstandingnearscreamedasthehalfofthebeardcameoffinhisfingers。Beneathwassilverwhitenessoverhalfhisface。Zaemonhadsmittenhimwithasuddenleprosythatwaspastcure。
Yetthepunishmentwasnotendedeventhen。Othertwitchingstookhimonotherpartsofthebody，andhetoreoffhisarmourandhisfoppishclothes，andalwayswherethebarefleshshowed，therehadthehorridplaguewrittenitswhitemark;andintheend，beingabletoendurenomore，themanfelltothepavementandlaytherewrithing。
Zaemonsaidnofurtherword。HeliftedtheSymbolbeforehim，sethiseyesonthefartherdoorofthebanqueting—hallandwalkedforitdirectly，allthoseinhispathshrinkingawayfromhimwithopenshudders。Andthroughthevalvesofthedoorhepassedoutofoursight，stillwordless，stillunchecked。
IglancedupatPhorenice。Thelovelinessofherfacewasdrawnandhaggard。Itwasthefirstgreatreverse，this，shehadmetwithinallherlife，andtheshockofit，andthevisionofwhatmightfollowafter，dazedher。Alas，ifshecouldonlyhaveguessedatatenthoftheterrorswhichthefuturehadinitswomb，Atlantismighthavebeensavedeventhen。
6。THEBITERSOFTHECITYWALLS
HerethenwasthemannerofmyreceptionbackinthecapitalofAtlantis，andsomefirstglimpseathernewpolicies。Ifreelyconfesstomyowninactionandlimpness;butitwasalldeliberate。
Theoldtiesofdutyseemedlost，oratleastmergedinoneanother。Beforetime，toservethekingwastoservetheClanofthePriests，fromwhichhehadbeenchosen，andwhoseheadheconstituted。ButPhorenicewasself—made，andappearedtobearuleuntoherself;ifZaemonwastobetrusted，hewasthemouthpieceofthePriests，andtheirClanhadsetheratdefiance;
andhowwasamerehonestmantochooseontheinstantbetweenthetwo？
Butcoldargumenttoldmethatgovernmentsweresetupforthegoodofthecountryatlarge，andIsaidtomyselfthattherewouldbemychoice。ImustfindoutwhichrulepromisedbestofAtlantis，anddomypoorbesttopropitintofullpower。Andhereatoncethereopenedupanotherpathinthemaze:Ihadheardsomeconsiderabletalkofrebels;ofanotherfactionofAtlanteanswho，whatevertheirfaultsmightbe，wereatanyratestrongenoughtobeleaguerthecapital;andbeforecomingtoanyfinaldecision，itwouldbeaswelltotaketheirclaimsinbalancewiththerest。SoonthenightofthatverysamedayonwhichIhadjustre—plantedmyfootontheoldcountry’sshores，Isetouttogleanformyselftidingsonthematter。
Nooneinsidetheroyalpyramidgainsaidme。ThebanquethadendedabruptlywiththeterriblescenethatIhavesetdownaboveonthesetablets，forwithTarcawrithingonthefloor，andthrustingoutthegruesomescarsofhisleprosy，eventhemostgluttonoushadlittleenoughappetiteforfurthergorging。
Phorenicegloweredonthefeastersforawhilelongerinsilentfury，butsayingnofurtherword;andthenhereyesturnedonme，thoughsoftenedsomewhat。
\"Youmaybeanhonestman，Deucalion，\"shesaid，atlength，\"butyouareamonstrouscoldone。Iwonderwhenyouwillthaw？\"
Andhereshesmiled。\"Ithinkitwillbesoon。ButfornowIbidyoufarewell。Inthemorningwewilltakethiscountrybytheshoulders，andseeitinsomeneworder。\"
Sheleftthebanqueting—hallthen，Ylgafollowing;andtakingprecedenceofmyrank，Iwentoutnext，whilstallothersstoodandmadesalutation。ButIhaltedbyTarcafirst，andputmyhandonhisuncleanflesh。\"Youareanunfortunateman，\"Isaid，\"butIcanadmireabravesoldier。Ifreliefcanbegainedforyourplague，Iwilluseinteresttoprocureitforyou。\"
Theman’sthankscameinamumblefromhiswreckedmouth，andsomeofthosenearshudderedinaffecteddisgust。Iturnedonthemwithablackbrow:\"Yourcharity，mylords，seemsofassmallaccountasyourcourage。YouaffectedafinedisbeliefofZaemon’ssayings，andasimperingcontemptforhispriesthood，butwhenitcomestolayingahandonhim，youshowadiscretionwhich，intheolddays，weshouldhavecalledbyanuglyname。IhadratherbeTarca，withallhisuncleanness，thananyofyounowasyoustand。\"
Withwhichleave—takingIwaitedcoldlytilltheygavememyduesalutation，andthenwalkedoutofthebanqueting—hallwithoutofferingasoulanotherglance。Itookmywaytothegrandgateofthepyramid，calledfortheofficeroftheguard，anddemandedexit。Themanwasobsequiousenough，butheopenedwithsomedemur。
\"Mylord’sattendantshavenotyetcomeup？\"
\"Ihavenone。\"
\"Mylordknowsthestateofthestreets？\"
\"Ididtwentyyearsback。Ishallbeabletopickmyway。\"
\"Mylordmustrememberthatthecityisbeleaguered，\"thefellowpersisted。\"Thepeoplearehungry。Theyprowlinbandsafternightfall，and——Imakenoquestionthatmylordwouldconquerinafightagainstwhateverodds，but——\"
\"Quiteright。Icovetnostreetscuffleto—night。Lendme，Iprayyou，asufficiencyofmen。Youwillknowbestwhatareneeded。Forme，Iamaccustomedtoacitywithquietstreets。\"
Ascoreofsturdyfellowsweredetailedoffformyescort，andwiththeminadoublefileoneitherhand，Imarchedoutfromthecloseperfumedairofthepyramidintothecoolmoonlightofthecity。Itwasmypurposetomakeatourofthewallsandtofindoutsomewhatofthedispositionoftheserebels。
ButtheGodssawfittogivemeanothereducationfirst。Thecity，asIsawitduringthatnightwalk，wasnolongertheoldcapitalthatIhadknown，thejustaccretionoftheages，thedueadmixtureofcomfortandsplendour。Thesplendourwasthere，vastlyincreased。Wholewardshadbeensweptawaytomakespacefornewpalaces，andnewpyramidsofthewealthy，andIcouldnotbuthaveanadmirationfortheskillandthebrainwhichmadepossiblesuchsplendidmonuments。
And，indeed，gazingatthemthereunderthesilverofthemoonlight，IcouldalmostunderstandtheemotionsoftheEuropeansandotherbarbaroussavageswhichcausethemtoworshipallsuchgreatbuildingsasGods，sincetheydeemthemtoowonderfulandmajestictobesetupbyhumanhandsunaided。
Still，ifitwaseasytoadmire，itwassimplealsotoseeplainadvertisementofthecostatwhichthesegreatworkshadbeenreared。Fromeachgrantofground，whereoneofthesestatelypilesearnedsilverunderthemoon，ahundredfamilieshadbeenevictedandlefttoharbourastheypleasedintheopen;and，asaconsequence，noweverynichehaditsquotaofsleepers，andeveryshadowitssquadoffiercewildcreatures，readytorushoutandroborslayallwayfarersoflessforcethantheirown。