\"Aye，butyouwill，\"saidtheoldman，andturnedonhimwithasuddentighteningofthebrows。Therewasnoblowpassed;eventheSymbol，whichglowedlikeastaragainstthenight，wasnotsomuchasliftedinwarning;buttheyoungmantriedtoretort，and，findinghimselfsmittenwithasuddendumbness，turnedwithaspasmoffear，andjumpedbackwhencehehadcome。Thecrowdofthemthrilledexpectantly，andwhennofurtherportentwasgiven，theybegantoshoutthatamiracleshouldbeshownthem，andthenperchancetheywouldbepersuadedbacktotheoldallegiance。
Theoldmanstoopedandgloweredattheminfury。\"Youdogs，\"
hecried，\"youempty—witteddogs！DoyouaskthatIshoulddegradethepowersoftheHigherMysteriesbydancingthemoutbeforeyouasthoughtheywereamummers’show？Doyoutickleyourselvesthatyouaretobetemptedbacktoyourallegiance？ItisforyoutowootheGodswhoaresooffended。Comeinhumility，andItakeituponmyselftodeclarethatyouwillreceivefittingpardonandrelief。Remainstubborn，andthescourge，Phorenice，maytormentyouintoannihilationbeforesheinturnismadetoanswerfortheevilshehasputupontheland。Thereisthechoiceforyoutopickat。\"
Theturmoilofvoicesroseagainintothewetnessofthenight，andweaponswereupraisedmenacingly。Itwasclearthatthepartyforindependencehadbyfarthegreaterweight，bothinnumbersandlustiness;andthosewhomight，fromsheerwearinessofstrife，havebeenwillingforsurrender，withheldtheirwordthroughterroroftheconsequence。Itwasafinecommentonthefreedomofspeech，aboutwhichtheseunrulyfoolshadmadetheirboast，and，withaslymalice，IcouldnothelpwhisperingawordonthistoNaisasshestoodatmyelbow。ButNaisclutchedatmyhand，andimploredmeforcaution。\"Oh，besilent，mylord，\"shewhisperedback，\"ortheywilltearyouinpieces。Theyareonfireformischiefnow。\"
\"Yetafewhoursbackyouwereforkillingmeyourself，\"I
couldnothelpremindingher。
Sheturnedonmewithahotlook。\"Awomancanchangehermind，mylord。Butitbecomesyoulittletoremindherofherfickleness。\"
Amaninthepressbesidemewrenchedroundwithaneffort，andstaredatmesearchinglythroughthedarkness。\"Oh！\"hesaid。
\"Ashavedchin。Whoareyou，friend，thatyoushouldcutabeardinsteadofcurlingit？Icanseenowoundonyourface。\"
Iansweredhimcivillyenoughthat，with\"freedom\"forawatchword，thefashionofmychinwasamatterofmereprivateconcern。Butasthatdidnotsatisfyhim，andasheseemedtobeoneofthosequarrelsomefellowsthatarethebaneofeverycommunity，Itookhimsuddenlybythethroatandtheshoulder，andbenthisneckwiththeold，quickturntillIhearditcrack，andhadunhandedhimbeforeanyofhisneighbourshadseenwhathadbefallen。Thefiercepressofthecrowdheldhimfromslippingtotheground，andsohestoodontherewherehewas，withhisheadnoddedforward，asthoughhehadfallenasleepthroughheaviness，orhadfaintedthroughthecrushingofhisfellows。Ihadnodesiretobeginthatlastfightofmineinaplacelikethis，wheretherewasnoroomtoswingaweapon，norchancetoclearabattlering。
Butallthistimetheleanpreacherfromthemountainswassendingforthhisangryanathemas，andstillholdingthestrainedattentionofthepeople。AndnexthesetforthbeforethemthecultoftheGodsintheancientformasisprescribed，andthey（witholdhabitcomingbacktothem）maderesponseinthewordsandintheplaceswheretheoldritualenjoins。Itwasweirdenoughsight，thattime—honouredserviceofadoration，forceduponthesewildpeopleaftersolongaperiodofirreligion。
Theywarmedtotheoldwordsasthehighshrillvoiceofthepriestcriedthemforth，andastheylistened，andastheyrealisedhowintimatewasthecareoftheGodsforthetravailsandsorrowsoftheirdailylives，somuchwarmergrewtheirresponses。
\"……WHOSTILLEDTHEBURNINGOFTHEMOUNTAINS，ANDMADE
COOLPLACESONTHEEARTHFORUSTOLIVE！——PRAISETOTHEMOST
HIGHGODS。
\"WHOGAVEUSMASTERYOVERTHELESSERBEASTSANDSKILLOF
TENTIMESTOPREVAIL！——PRAISETOTHEMOSTHIGHGODS……\"
\"WHOGAVEUSMASTERYOVERTHELESSERBEASTSANDSKILLOF
TENTIMESTOPREVAIL！——PRAISETOTHEMOSTHIGHGODS……\"
Itthrilledonetoheartheirearnestness;itsorrowedonetoknowthattheywouldyetbeobdurateandnotreturntotheiroldallegiance。Forthisisthewaywiththesecommonpeople;theywillworkupanenthusiasmoneminute，andanhourlateritwillhavefledawayandleftthemcoldandempty。
ButZaemonmadenofurthercallsupontheirloyalty。Hefinishedtheprescribedformofsentences，andsteppeddownofftheplatformofthewarenginewiththeSymbolofourLordtheSunthrustoutresolutelybeforehim。Toallordinaryseemingthecrowdhadbeenpackedsothatnofurthercompressionwaspossible，butbeforetheadvanceoftheSymbolthepeoplecrushedback，leavingawidelaneforhispassage。
Andherecametheturningpointofmylife。Atfirst，like，Itakeit，everyoneelseinthatcrowd，Iimaginedthattheoldman，havingfinishedhismission，wasmakingawaytoreturntotheplacefromwhichhehadcome。Butheheldsteadilytoonedirection，andasthatwastowardsmyself，itnaturallycametomymindthat，havingdealtwithgreaterthings，hewouldnowsettlewiththeless;or，inplainerwords，thathavingputhispolicybeforetheswarmingpeople，hewouldnowsmitedownthemanhehadseenbutyesterdayseatedasPhorenice’sminister。Well，IshouldlosethatfinalfightIhadpromisedmyself，andthatmoundofslainformyfuneralbed。ItwasclearthatZaemonwasthemouthpieceofthePriests’Clan，dulyappointed;andIalsowasapriest。IfthewordhadbeengivenontheSacredMountaintothosewhosatbeforetheArkoftheMysteriesthatAtlantiswouldprospermorewithDeucalionsenttotheGods，Iwasreadytobowtothesentencewithsubmissiveness。ThatIhadregretforthismodeofcuttingoff，Iwillnotdeny。Nomanwhohaspractisedthegameofarmscouldabandonthepromiseofsuchagorgeousfinalbattlewithoutaqualmoflonging。
ButIhadbeentrainedenoughtoshownoneoftheseemotionsonmyface，andwhentheoldmancameuptome，Istoodmygroundandgavehimthesalutationprescribedbetweenourranks，whichhereturnedtomewithcircumstanceandaccuracy。Thecrowdfellback，beingdrivenawaybytheineffableforceoftheSymbol，leavingusaloneinthemiddleofaring。EvenNais，thoughshewasapriest’sdaughter，wasignorantoftheMysteries，andcouldnotwithstanditsforce。Andsowetwomenstoodtherealonetogether，withtheglowoftheSymbolbathingus，andlightinguptheseaofravenousfacesthatwatched。
Thepeoplewerequicktoputtheirnaturalexplanationonthescene。\"Aspy！\"theybegantoroarout。\"Aspy！ZaemonsaluteshimasaPriest！\"
Zaemonfacedroundonthemwithaqueerlookonhisgrimoldface。\"Aye，\"hesaid，\"thisisaPriest。IfIgiveyouhisname，youmighthavefurtherinterest。ThisistheLordDeucalion。\"
Thewordwaspickedupandyelledamongstthemwithathousandemotions。Butatleasttheywereloyaltotheirpolicy;theyhaddecidedthatDeucalionwastheirenemy;theyhadalreadyexpendedanavyforhisdestruction;andnowthathewasringedinbytheirmasses，theylustedtotearhimintoragswiththeirfingers。Butraveandravethoughtheymightagainstme，theglarefromtheSymboldrovethemshudderingbackasthoughithadbeenalava—stream;andZaemonwasnotthemantohandmeovertotheirfuryuntilhehaddeliveredformalsentenceastheemissaryofourClanontheSacredMount。Sotheendwasnottobeyet。
Theoldmanfacedmeandspokeinthesacredtongue，whichthecommonpeopledonotknow。\"Mybrother，\"hesaid，\"whichhaveyoucometoserve，DeucalionorAtlantis？\"
\"Wordsareapoorthingtoansweraquestionlikethat。Youwillknowallofmyrecord。AccordingtotheLawofthePriests，eachshipfromYucatanwillhavecarriedhomeitsswornreporttolayatthefeetoftheircouncil，andbeforeIwenttothatvice—royalty，whatIdidwaswrittenplainhereonthefaceofAtlantis。\"
\"Weknowyourdoingsinthepast，brother，andtheyhavefoundapproval。Youhavegovernedwell，andyouhavelivedausterely。
YousetupAtlantisforamistress，andservedherwell;butthen，youhavehadnoPhorenicetotemptyouintochangeandfickleness。\"
\"YoucansendmewhereIshallseehernomore，ifyouthinkmefrail。\"
\"Yes，andloseyourusefulness。No，brother，youarethelasthopewhichthispoorlandhasremaining。AllotherhumanmeansthathavebeentriedagainstPhorenicehavefailed。Youhavereturnedfromoverseasforthefinalduel。Youarethestrongestmanwehave，andyouareourfinalchampion。Ifyoufail，thenonlythoseterriblePowerswhicharelockedwithintheArkoftheMysteriesremainstous，andthoughitisnotlawfultospeakeveninthishiddentongueoftheirscope，youatleasthavefullassuranceoftheirpotency。\"
Ishruggedmyshoulders。\"Itseemsthatyouwouldsavetimeandpainsifyouthrewmetothesewolvesofrebels，andletthemendmehereandnow。\"
Theoldmanfrownedonmeangrily。\"Iambiddingyoudoyourduty。Whatreasonhaveyouforwishingtoevadeit？\"
\"Ihaveinmymemorythewordsyouspokeinthepyramid，whenyoucameinamongstthebanqueters。’PHORENICE，’wasyourcry，’WHILSTYOUAREYETEMPRESS，YOUSHALLSEETHISROYAL
PYRAMID，WHICHYOUHAVEPOLLUTEDWITHYOURDEBAUCHERIES，TORNTIER
FROMTIER，ANDSTONEFROMSTONE，ANDSCATTEREDASFEATHERSBEFORE
AWIND。’Itseemsthatyouforeseemydefeat。\"
Theoldmanshuddered。\"Icannottellwhatshemayforceustodo。Ispokethenonlywhatitwasrevealedtomemusthappen。
Perhapswhenmattershavereachedthatpass，shewillrepentandsubmit。Butinthemeanwhile，beforeweusethemoredesperateweaponsoftheGods，itisfittingthatweshouldexpendallhumanpowerremainingtous。Andsoyoumustgo，mybrother，andplayyourparttotheutmost。\"
\"Itisanorder。SoIobey。\"
\"YoushallbeatPhorenice’ssideagainbythenextdawn。ShehassentforyoufromYucatanasahusband，andasonewho（soshethinks，poorhumanconqueror）hastheweightofarmnecessarytoprolonghertyrannies。YouareaPriest，brother，andyouareamanofconvincingtongue。Itwillbeyourparttomakeherstubbornmindseetheinvinciblepowerthatcanbeloosedagainsther，topointouttohertheutterhopelessnessofprevailingagainstit。\"
\"Ifitisordered，Iwilldothesethings。Butthereislittleenoughchanceofsuccess。IhaveseenPhorenice，andcangaugeherwill。Therewillbenoturningheronceshehasmadeadecision。Othershavetried;youhavetriedyourself;allhavefailed。\"
\"Wordsthatwerewastedonamaidenmaygohometoawife。
Youhavebeenbroughtheretobeherhusband。Well，takeyourplace。\"
Theordercametomewithapang。Ihadgivenlittleenoughheedtowomenthroughallofabusylife，thoughwhenIlanded，thetakingofPhorenicetowifewouldnothavebeenveryrepugnanttomeifpolicyhaddemandedit。Butthemattersofthelasttwodayshadputthingsinadifferentshape。Ihadseentwootherwomenwhohadstrangelyattractedme，andoneofthesehadstirredwithinmeatumultsuchasIhadneverfeltbeforeamongstmyeconomies。
ToleadPhoreniceinmarriagewouldmeanaseverancefromthisotherwomaneternally，andIachedasIthoughtofit。Butthoughthesethoughtsfloatedthroughmysystemandgavemeharshwrenchesofpain，IdidnotthrustmypunylikingsbeforethecommandofthecouncilofthePriests。IbowedbeforeZaemon，andputhishandtomyforehead。\"Itisanorder，\"Isaid。\"IfourLordtheSungivesmelife，Iwillobey。\"
\"Thenletusbegonefromthisplace，\"saidZaemon，andtookmebythearmandwavedawayforuswiththeSymbol。NofurtherworddidIhavewithNais，fearingtoembroilherwiththeserebelswhoclusteredround，butIcaughtonehotglancefromhereyes，andthathadtosufficeforfarewell。Thedenseranksofthecrowdopened，andwewalkedawaybetweenthemscathless。Fiercelythoughtheylustedformylife，brimmingwithhatethoughtheymadetheircries，nomandaredtorushinandraiseahandagainstme。
Neitherdidtheyfollow。Whenwereachedtheoutskirtsofthecrowd，andtheranksthinned，theyhadamind，manyofthem，tosurgealonginourwake;butZaemonwhirledtheSymbolbackbeforetheirfaceswithablazeofluridlight，andtheyfelltotheirknees，grovelling，andpressedonusnomore。
Therainstillfell，andinthelightofthecampfiresaswepassedthem，thewetgleamedontheoldman’swastedbody。AndfarbeforeusthroughthedarknessloomedthevastbulkoftheSacredMountain，withtheringofeternalfiresencincturingitscrest。
IsighedasIthoughtoftheoldpeacefuldaysIhadspentinitstempleandgroves。
Buttherewastobenomoreofthatstudiousleisurenow。
Therewasworktobedone，workforAtlantiswhichdidnotbrookdelay。Andsowhenwehadprogressedfaroutintothewaste，andtherewasnoneneartoview（saveonlythemostHighGods），wefoundtheplacewherethepassagewas，whoseentranceisknownonlytotheSevenamongstthePriests;andthereweparted，Zaemontohishermitageinthedangerouslands，andIbythissecretwaybackintothecapital。
9。PHORENICE，GODDESS
Nowthepassage，thoughitsentrancehadbeencunninglyhiddenbyman’sartifice，wasoneofthoseveinsinwhichthefierybloodofourmother，theEarth，hadaforetimecoursed。Longyearshadpassedsinceitcarriedlavastreams，buttheairinitwasstillwarmandsulphurous，andtherewasnoinducementtolingerintransit。IlitmealampwhichIfoundinanappointedniche，andwalkedbrisklyalongmyways，coughing，andwishingheartilyIhadsomeofthosesimpleswhicheaseathroatthathasatendencytocatarrh。But，alas！allthatpacketofdrugswhichweremysolespoilfromthevice—royaltyofYucatanwerelostinthesea—fightwithDason’snavy，andsincelandinginAtlantistherehadbeenlittleenoughtimetothinkfortherefinementsofmedicine。
Thenetworkofearth—veinsbranchedprodigiously，andifanybutoneofusSevenPriestshadfoundawayintoitsrecessesbychance，hewouldhaveperishedhopelesslyinthewindings，orhavefallenintooneofthosepitswhichleadtotheboilbelow。ButI
carriedthechartofthetruecourseclearlyinmyhead，rememberingitfromthatoldinitiationoftwentyyearsback，when，asanappointedviceroy，IwasraisedtothehighestdegreebutoneknowntoourClan，andwasgivenitssecretsandworkingimplements。
Thewaywaslong，thefloorwasmonstrousuneven，andtheair，asIhavesaid，bad;andIknewthatdaywouldbefaradvancedbeforethesignstoldmethatIhadpassedbeneaththewalls，andwaswellwithintheprecinctsofthecity。AndherethevowoftheSevenhamperedmyprogress;foritisordainedthatundernocircumstances，whateverthestress，shallegressbemadefromthispassagebeforemortaleye。OnebranchafteranotherdidItry，butalwaysfoundloiterersneartheexits。Ihadhopedtomakemyemergencebythatpathwhichcameinsidetheroyalpyramid。Buttherewasnochanceofcomingupunobservedhere;theplacewashumminglikeahive。Andso，too，witheachofthefivenextoutletsthatIvisited。Thecitywasagogwithsomestrangeexcitement。
ButIcameatlasttoatempleofoneofthelesserGods，andstoodbehindtheimageforawhilemakingobservation。Theplacewasempty;nay，fromthedustwhichrobedallthefloorsandtheseatsoftheworshippers，ithadbeenemptylongenough;soImovedallthatwasneedful，steppedout，andclosedallentrybehindme。
Abroomlayunnoticedononeofthepews，andwiththisIsoondisguisedallrouteoffootmark，andtookmywaytothetempledoor。Itwasshut，andpriestthoughIwas，thesecretofitsopeningwasbeyondme。
Herewasaprettypass。Noonebuttheattendantpriestsofthetemplecouldmovethemechanismwhichclosedandopenedthemassivestonewhichfilledthedoorway;andifallhadgoneouttoattendthisspectacle，whateveritmightbe，thatwasstirringthecity，whythereIshouldbenonearerenlargementthanbefore。
Therewasnosoundoflifewithinthetempleprecincts;therewereevidencesofdecayanddisusespreadbroadcastoneveryhand;
butaccordingtotheancientlawthereshouldbeeternallyoneatleastonwatchinthepriests’dwellings，sodownthepassageswhichledtothemImademyway。Itwouldhavesurprisedmelittletohavefoundeventhesedeserted。ThattheoldorderwaschangedIknew，butIwasonlythenbeginningtorealisetheruthlessnesswithwhichithadbeensweptaway，andhowmuchithadgivenplacetothenew。
However，therecanbesomefaithfulmenremainingeveninanageofgeneralapostasy，andonmakingmywaytothedoorofthedwelling（whichlayintheroofofthetemple）Igavethecall，andpresentlyitwasopenedtome。Themanwhostoodbeforeme，peeringdullythroughthegloom，hadatleastremainedconstanttohisvows，andImadethesalutationbeforehimwithafeelingofrespect。
HisnamewasRo，andIrememberedhimwell。Wehadpassedthroughthesacredcollegetogether，andalwayshehadbeenknownasthedullard。HehadcapacityforlearninglittleofthecultoftheGods，lessoftheartsofruling，lessstillofthehandlingofarms;andhehadbeenappointedtosomelowlyofficeinthisobscuretemple，andhadrisentobeingitssecondpriestandoneofitstwocustodiansmerelythroughthedesertionofallhiscolleagues。Butitwasnotpleasanttothinkthatafoolshouldremaintruewherecleverermenabandonedtheoldbeliefs。
Rodidbeforemethegreaterobeisance。Heworehisbeardcurledintheprevailingfashion，butitwasbadlydone。Hisclothingwasill—fittingandunbrushed。Healwayshadbeenaslovenlyfellow。\"Thetempledoorisshut，\"hesaid，\"andIonlyhavethesecretofitsopening。Mylordcomeshere，therefore，bythesecretway，andasoneoftheSeven。Iammylord’sservant。\"
\"ThenIaskthissmallserviceofyou。Tellme，whatstirsthecity？\"
\"ThatimpiousPhorenicehasdeclaredherselfGoddess，anddeclaresthatshewilllightthesacrificewithherowndivinefire。Shewilldoit，too。Shedoeseverything。ButIwishtheflamesmayburnherwhenshecallsthemdown。ThisnewEmpressisthebaneofourClan，Deucalion，theselatterdays。Thepeopleneglectus;theybringnoofferings;andnow，sincetheserebelshavebeenhammeringatthewalls，ImighthavegonehungryifIhadnotsomesmallstoreofmyown。Oh，Itellyou，thecultofthetrueGodsiswell—nighoozedquiteoutoftheland。\"
\"Mybrother，itcomestomymindthatthePriestsofourClanhavebeenlimpintheirservicetoletthesethingscometopass。\"
\"Isupposewehavedoneourbest。Atleast，wedidasweweretaught。Butifthepeoplewillnotcometohearyourexhortations，andneglecttoadoretheGod，whatholdhaveyouovertheirreligion？ButItellyou，Deucalion，thattheHighGodstryourownfaithhard。Comeintothedwellinghere。Lookthereonmybed。\"
Isawtheshapeofaman，untidilyswathedinreddenedbandages。
\"Thisisallthatisleftofthepoorpriestthatwasmyimmediatesuperiorinthiscure。ItwashisturnyesterdaytocelebratetheweeklysacrificetoourLordtheSunwiththecircleofHisgreatstones。Faugh！Deucalion，youshouldhaveseenhowhewasmangledwhentheybroughthimbacktomehere。\"
\"Didthepeopleriseonhim？Hasitcometothat？\"
\"Thepeoplestayedpassive，\"saidRobitterly，\"whatfewofthemhadinteresttoattend;butourLordtheSunsawfittotryHisministersomewhatharshly。Thewoodwaslaid;thesacrificewasdisposeduponitaccordingtotheprescribedrites;theprocessionhadbeenformedroundthealtar，andthedrumsandthetrumpetswerespeakingforth，toletallmenknowthatpresentlythesmokeoftheirprayerwouldbewafteduptowardsThosethatsitinthegreatplacesintheheavens。Butthen，abovethenoiseoftheceremonial，therecametherushingsoundofwings，andfromoutoftheskythereflewoneofthosegreatfeatherlessman—eatingbirds，ofabignesssuchasseldombeforehasbeenseen。\"
\"Anarrowshotintheeye，oralong—shaftedspearreceivesthembest。\"
\"Oh，allmenknowwhattheyweretaughtaschildren，Deucalion;butthesepriestswereunarmed，accordingtotherubric，whichordainsthattheyshallintrustthemselvescompletelytotheguardianshipoftheHighGodsduringthehoursofsacrifice。Thegreatbirdswoopeddown，settlingonthewoodpyre，andattackedthesacrificewithbeakandtalon。Mypoorsuperiorhere，stillstronginhisfaith，calledloudlyonourLordtheSuntolendpowertohisarm，andspranguponthealtarwithnaughtbuthisteethandhisbarearmsforweapons。Itmaybethatheexpectedamiracle——hehasnotspokesince，poorsoul，inexplanation——butallhemetwereblowsfromleatherywings，andrakingsfromtalonswhichwentneartodisembowellinghim。Thebirdbrushedhimawayaseasilyaswecouldsweepasideafly，andtherehelaybleedingonthepavementbesidethealtar，whilstthesacrificewastornandeateninthepresenceofallthepeople。Andthen，whenthebirdwasglutted，itflewawayagaintothemountains。\"
\"Andthepeoplegavenohelp？\"
\"Theycriedoutthatthethingwasaportent，thatourLordtheSunwasaGodnolongerifHehadnotpowerorthoughttoguardHisownsacrifice;andsomecriedthattherewasnoGodremainingnow，andotherswouldhaveitthattherewasanewGodcometoweighonthecountry，whichhadchosentotaketheformofacommonman—eatingbird。ButafewbegantoshoutthatPhorenicestoodforalltheGodsnowinAtlantis，andthatcrywastakenuptillthestonesofthegreatcirclerangwithit。Somemayhavemadeproclamationsbecausetheywereconvinced;manybecausethecrywasnew，andpleasedthem;butIamsuretherewerenotafewwhojoinedinbecauseitwasdangeroustoleavesuchanoutburstunwelcomed。TheEmpresscanbehardenoughtothosewhoneglecttogiveheradulation。\"
\"TheEmpressisEmpress，\"Isaidformally，\"andhernamecarriesrespect。Itisnotforustoquestionherdoings。\"
\"Iamapriest，\"saidRo，\"andIspeakasIhavebeentaught，anddefendtheFaithasIhavebeencommanded。WhetherthereisaFaithanylonger，Iambeginningtodoubt。But，anyway，ityieldsapoorenoughlivelihoodnowadays。Therehavebeennoofferingsatthistemplethisfivemonthspast，andifIhadnotafewjarsofcornputby，Imighthavestarvedforanythingthepiousofthiscitycared。AndIdonotthinkthattheaffairofthatsacrificeislikelytoputnewenthusiasmintoourcoldvotaries。\"
\"Whendidithappen？\"
\"Twentyhoursago。To—dayPhoreniceconductsthesacrificeherself。Thathascausedthestiryouspokeabout。Thecityisinthethroesofgettingreadyoneofherpageants。\"
\"ThenImustaskyoutoopenthetempledoorsandgivemepassage。Imustgoandseethisthingformyself。\"
\"ItisnotformetoofferadvicetooneoftheSeven，\"saidRodoubtfully。
\"Itisnot。\"
\"ButtheysaythattheEmpressisnotoverpleasedatyourabsence，\"hemumbled。\"Ishouldnotlikeharmtocomeinyourway，Deucalion，\"hesaidaloud。
\"ThefutureisinthehandsofthemostHighGods，Ro，andI
atleastbelievethatTheywilldealoutourfatestoeachofusasTheyinTheirinfinitewisdomseebest，thoughyouseemtohavelostyourfaith。AndnowImustbeyourdebtorforapassageoutthroughthedoors。Plagues！man，itisnouseyourholdingoutyourhandtome。Idonotownacoininalltheworld。\"
Hemumbledsomethingabout\"forceofhabit\"asheledthewaydowntowardsthedoor，andIrespondedtartlyenoughabouttheunpleasantnessofhisbeggingcustoms。\"Ifitwerenotforyoursortandyourcustoms，thePriests’Clanwouldnotbefacingthiscrisisto—day。\"
\"Onemustlive，\"hegrumbled，ashepressedhislevers，andthemassivestoneinthedoorwayswungajar。
\"Ifyouhadbeenamorecapableman，Imighthaveseenthenecessity，\"saidI，andpassedintotheopenandlefthim。IcouldneverbringmyselftolikeRo。
Amotleycrowdfilledthestreetwhichranpastthefrontofthisobscuretemple，andallwerehurryingoneway。WithwhatI
hadbeentold，itdidnottakemucharttoguessthatthegreatstonecircleofourLordtheSunwastheirmark，anditgrievedmetothinkofhowmanyvenerablecenturiesthatgreatfanehaduprearedbeforetheweatherandtheearthtremors，withoutsuchprofanationasitwouldwitnessto—day。Andalsothethoughtoccurredtome，\"WasourGreatLordabovedrawingthiswomanontoherdestruction？WouldHetakesomevastandfinalactofvengeancewhensheconsummatedherfinalsacrilege？\"
Butthecrowdpressedon，thrilledandexcited，andthinkinglittle（asisacrowd’swont）onthedeepermatterswhichlaybeneaththebarespectacle。Fromonequarterofthecitywallsthedinofanattackfromthebesiegersmadeitselfclearlyheardfromoverthehouse，andthetemplesandthepalacesintervening，butnooneheededit。Theyhadgrowncallous，thesetownsfolk，tothebatteringoframs，andtheflightoffire—darts，andtheotheremotionsofabombardment。Theirnerves，theirhunger，theirdesperation，werestrungtosuchapitchthatlittleshortofanactualstormcouldstirthemintonewexcitementoverthesiege。
Allwereweaponed。Thenakedcarriedarmsinthehopesofmeetingsomeonewhomtheycouldovercomeandrob;thosethathadapossessionwalkedreadytodoabattleforitsownership。Therewasnosecurity，notrust;thelessonofcivilisationhaddroppedawayfromthesecommonpeopleasmudiswashedfromthefeetbyrain，andintheirnewhabitsandtheirthoughtstheyhadgonebacktothegradefromwhichsavageslikethoseofEuropehaveneveryetemerged。ItwasagrimcommentaryonthesuccessofPhorenice’srule。
Thecrowdmergedmeintotheirrankswithoutquestion，andwiththemIpressedforwarddownthewindingstreets，oncesocleanandtrim，nowsofoulandmud—strewn。Menandwomenhaddiedofhungerinthesestreetstheselatteryears，androttedwheretheylay，andwetrodtheirbonesunderfootaswewalked。Yetrisingoutofthissqualorandthismiseryweregreatpyramidsandpalaces，thelikeofwhichforsplendourandmagnificencehadneverbeenseenbefore。Itwasajarringadmixture。
Intimewecametotheopenspaceinthecentreofthecity，whichevenPhorenicehadnotdaredtoencroachuponwithherambitiousbuildingschemes，andstoodontheseculargroundwhichsurroundsthemostancient，themostgrand，andthebreastofallthisworld’stemples。
Sincethebeginningoftime，whenmanfirstemergedamongstthebeasts，ourLordtheSunhasalwaysbeenhischiefestGod，andlegendsaysthatHeraisedthiscircleofstonesHimselftobeaplacewherevotariesshouldofferHimworship。Itisthefashionamongstusmodernsnottotaketheseoldtalesinatooliteralsense，butformyself，thisonesatisfiesme。Byourwitswecanliftblocksweighingsixhundredmen，andsetthemasthecapstonesofourpyramids。Buttouprearthestonesofthatgreatcirclewouldbebeyondallourart，andmuchmorewoulditbeimpossibleto—day，totransportthemfromtheirdistantquarriesacrosstheruggedmountains。
Therewerenine—and—fortyofthestones，alternatingwithspaces，andsetinanaccuratecircle，andacrossthetopsofthemotherstoneswereset，equallyhuge。Thestoneswereundressedandrugged;butthehugemassivenessofthemimpressedtheeyemorethanallthetemplesanddaintilytooledpyramidsofourwondrouscity。Andinthecentreofthecirclewasthatstillgreaterstonewhichformedthealtar，androundwhichwascarved，intherudechisellingoftheancients，thesnakeandtheoutstretchedhand。
Thecrowdwhichboremeoncametoastandstillbeforethecircleofstones。Totrespassbeyondthisisdeathforthecommonpeople;andformyself，althoughIhadtherightofentrance，I
chosetostaywhereIwasforthepresent，unnoticedamongstthemob，andwaituponevents。
Forlongenoughwestoodthere，ourLordtheSunburninghighandfiercelyfromtheclearblueskyaboveourheads。Thedinoftherebels’attackuponthewallscametousclearly，evenabovethegabbleofthemultitude，butnoonegaveattentiontoit。
Excitementaboutwhatwastobefallinthecirclemasteredeveryotheremotion。