\"Nay，Iwillnotburnany，\"saidPhorenice，\"butyoushalllookuponmysword—playtillyouaretired。\"
Iheardhersaythatwithsomemaliciousamusement，knowing（asoneoftheSeven）howshehadcalleddownthefiresoftheskytoburnthatcloven—hoofedhorseofferedinsacrifice，andknowingtoo，fullwell，thatshecouldbringdownnofirehere。Buttheygaveuslittleenoughtimeforwordycourtesies。TheirEmpressneverwentfarunattended，and，foraughtthewretchesknew，anescortmightbeclosebehind。Sowhatpilferingtheydid，itbehovedthemtogetdonequickly。
Theyclosedin，jostlingoneanothertobefirst，andthereekoftheirfilthybodiesmadeuscough。AgrimyhandlaunchedouttoseizesomeofthejewelswhichflashedonPhorenice’sbreast，andIloppeditoffattheelbow，sothatitfellatherfeet，andasecondlaterwewereengaged。
\"Yourbacktomine，comrade，\"criedshe，withalaugh，andthendrewandlaidaboutherwithfinedexterity。Bah！butitwasmereslaughter，thatfirstbout。
Thecrowdhustledinwardswithsuchgreedinesstoseizewhattheycould，thatnonehadspacetodrawbackelbowforathrust，andwetwokeptacircleroundusbysheerwhirlingofsteel。Itisnecessarytodoone’sworkcleanlyinthesebouts，aswoundedleftonthegroundunnoticedbeforeoneareasdangerousassomanysnakes。ButaswecircledroundinourbattlingInotedthatallofPhorenice’squarrylaypeacefulandstill。BytheGods！butshecouldplayafinesword，thisdaintyEmpress。Shetouchedlifewitheverythrust。
Yes，itwasplaintosee，nowanexamplewasgiven，thatthethroneofAtlantishadbeenwon，notbyalovelyfaceandasubtletonguealone;and（asafightermyself）IdidnotlikePhorenicethelessfortheknowledge。Icouldbutseeheroutofthecornerofmyeye，andthatonlynowandagain，forthefishers，despitetheirill—knowledgeoffence，andtheclumsinessoftheirweapons，hadheavynumbers，andmostsavageferocity;andastheymadesoconfidentofbeingabletopullusdown，itrequiredmorethanalittlehardbattlingtokeepthemfromdoingit。Ay，bytheGods！
itwasattimesafightmyheartwarmedto，andifIhadnotcontrivedtopluckashieldfromonefoolwhocametoovain—gloriouslynearmewithone，Icouldnotsweartheywouldnothavedraggedmedownbysheerraveningsavageness。
AndalwaysabovetheburlyuproarofthefightcameverypleasantlytomyearsPhorenice’scryof\"Deucalion！\"whichshechoseasherbattleshout。Iknewher，ofcourse，tobeapast—mistressoftheartofcompliment，anditwasnonewthingformetohearthenameroaredoutaboveabattledin，butitwasgiventhereundercircumstanceswhichwerepeculiar，andforthelifeofmeIcouldnothelpbeingtickledbytheflattery。
Condemnmyweaknesshowyouwill，butIcameverynearthentolikingtheEmpressofAtlantisinthewayshewished。Andasforthatotherwomanwhoshouldhavefilledmymind，Iwillconfessthatthestressofthemoment，andthefuryoftheengagement，haddrivenbothherandherstraitcompletelyoutbeyondthemarchesofmymemory。Ofsuchfrailstuffarewemade，eventhoseofuswhoesteemourselvesthestrongest。
Nowitisatemptationfewmenborntotheswordcanresist，tothrowthemselvesheartandsoulintoafightforafight’ssake，anditseemsthatwomencanbebittenwiththesamefierceinfection。Theattackslackenedandhalted。Westoodinthemiddleofaringoftwisteddead，andtherestofthefishersandtheirwomenwhohemmedusinshrankbackoutofreachofourweapons。
Itwasthemomentforatruce，andthemomentwhenafewstrongwordswouldhavesentthembackcoweringtotheirhuts，andgivenusfreepassagetogowherewechose。Butno，thisPhorenicemustneedssingahymntoherswordandmine，gloatingoverourfeatsandinvulnerability;andthenshemustneedsaskpaymentforthebearersofherlitterwhomtheyhadkilled，andthenspeakbalefullyoftheburnings，andtheskinnings，andthesawingsasunderwithwhichthisfishers’quarterwouldbetreatedinthenearfuture，tilltheylearnedthevirtuesofdeportmentandgenteelmanners。
\"Itmakesyourbackscreep，doesit？\"saidPhorenice。\"Idonotwonder。Thisseveritymusthaveitsunpleasantside。Butwhydoyounotputitbeyondmypowertogivetheorder？EitheryoumustthinkyourselvesGodsormenoGoddess，oryouwouldnothavegoneonsofar。Comenow，younasty—smellingpeople，followoutyourtheory，andifyoumakeagoodfightofit，IswearbymyfaceIwillbelenientwiththosewhodonotfall。\"
Buttherewasnopressinguptomeetourswords。Theystillringedusin，savageandsullen，beyondtheringoftheirowndead，andwouldneitherrunbacktothehouses，norgiveusthegameoffurtherfight。Therewasacertainstubbornbraveryaboutthemthatonecouldnotbutadmire，andformyselfIdeterminedthatnexttimeitbecamemydutytoraisetroops，Iwouldcatchahandfulofthesemen，andteachthemhandinesswiththeutensilsofwar，andtrainthemtoloyaltyandfaithfulness。Butpresentlyfrombehindtheirranksastoneflew，andthoughitwhizzedbetweentheEmpressandmyself，andstruckdownafisher，itshowedthattheyhadbroughtanewmethodintotheirattack，anditbehovedustotakethoughtandmeetit。
Ilookedroundmeupanddownthebeach。Therewasnosignofarescue。\"Phorenice，\"Isaidinthecourttongue，whichthesebarbarousfisherswouldknowlittleenoughof，\"Itakeitthatawhiffofthesea—breezewouldcomeverypleasantafterallthiswarmplay。Asyoucanshowsuchprettyswordwork，willyoucutmeawaydowntothebeach，andIwilldomypoorbesttokeepthesecreaturesfromsnappingatourheels？\"
\"Oh！\"criedshe。\"ThenIamtohaveacourtierforahusbandafterall。Whyhaveyoukeptbackyourflatteringspeechestillnow？Isthatyourtricktomakemeloveyou？\"
\"Iwillthinkoutthereasonforitanothertime。\"
\"Ah，thesestern，commandinghusbands，\"saidshe，\"howtheydopressupontheirlittlewives！\"andwiththatleapedovertheringofdeadbeforeher，andcutandstabbedawaythroughthosethatstoodbetweenherandthewaterswhichcreamedandcrasheduponthebeach。Gods！whatachargeshemade。ItmademetinglewithadmirationasIfollowedsidewaysbehindher，guardingtherear。
AndIamamanthathasspentsomanyyearsinbattling，thatittakessomethingfaroutofthecommontomovemetoanyenthusiasminthismatter。
Thereweretwoboatscreakingandwashingaboutintheedgeofthesurf，butinone，happily，thewicker—workwhichmadeitsframewascrushedbytheweightofthewavesintoashapelessbundleofsticks，andwouldtakehalfadaytoreplace。Sothat，letusbutgettheothercraftafloat，andweshouldbefreefromfurtherembroiling。Butthefisherswerequicktoseetheobjectofthisnewmanoeuvre。\"Guardtheboat，\"theyshouted。\"Smashher;slitherskinwithyourknives！Tearherwithyourfingers！Swimherouttosea！Oh，atleasttakethepaddles！\"
But，iftheseclumsyfisherscouldrun，Phorenicewaslikealeggedsnakeforspeed。Shewasdownbesidetheboatbeforeanycouldreachit，laughingandshoutingoutthatshecouldbeatthemateverypoint。Myself，Iwassloweroffoot;and，besides，therewassomethatofferedmeafightontheroad，andIwasnotwishfultobaulkthem;andmoreover，thefewerweleftclamouringbehind，thefewertherewouldbetospeedourgoingwiththeirstones。
StillIcametothebeachingoodorder，andlaidhandsontheflimsyboatandtippedherdry。
\"Fightingisnotradefor，me，\"Icried，\"whilstyouarehere，Phorenice。Guardmemybackandwalkoutintothewater。\"
Itooktheboat，thrustingitafloat，andwadingwithittilltwolinesofthesurfwerepast。Thefishersswarmedroundus，activeasfishintheirnativeelement，andstrovemightilytogethandsontheboatandslitthehideswhichcovereditwiththeireagerfingers。ButIhadasparehand，andashortstabbing—knifeforsuchclose—quarterwork，andhere，there，andeverywherewasPhorenicetheEmpress，withherthirstydrippingsword。BytheGods！Ilaughedwithsheerdelightatseeingherartoffence。
Buttheswirlofagreatfishintotheshallows，andthesquealofafisherashewasdraggeddownandhomeawayintothedeep，madememindfuloffoesthatnoskillcanconquer，andnobraveryavoid。WithouttakingtimetogivetheEmpressawordofwarning，Istooped，andflunganarmroundher，andthrewherupoutofthewaterintotheboat，andthenthrustonwithallmymight，drivingtheflimsycraftouttosea，whilstmylegscreptundermeforfearofthebeastswhichswaminvisiblebeneaththemuddiedwaters。
Tothefishers，inuredtothesehorridperilsbydailyassociation，theseizingofoneoftheirnumbermeantlittle，andtheypressedon，carelessoftheirdulllives，eageronlytosnatchthejewelswhichstillflauntedonPhorenice’sbreast。Ofthevengeancethatmightcomeaftertheyreckednothing;letthembutgetthewherewithalforonenight’sgooddebauch，andtheywouldforgetthatsuchathingasthemorningofamorrowcouldhaveexistence。
TwofellowsIcaughtandkilledthat，divingdownbeneath，triedtoslittheskinoftheboatoutofsightunderthewater;
andPhorenicecaredforallthosethattriedtoputahandonthegunwales。Yes，andshedidmorethanthat。Ahugelong—neckedturtlethatwasstirredoutofthemudbytheturmoil，cameuptodaylight，andswungitsgreathorn—lippedmouthtothissideandthat，seekingforaprey。Thefishersnearitdodgedanddived。
I，thrustingatthesternoftheboat，couldonlyhopeitwouldpassmebyandsoofferedaneasymark。Itscurriedtowardsme，champingitsnoisylips，andbeatingthewaterintospraywithitsflippers。
ButPhorenicewasquickwitharemedyandarescue。Shepassedherswordthroughoneofthefishersthatpressedher，andthenthrustthebodytowardstheturtle。Thegreatneckswoopedtowardsit;thelongslimyfeelerswhichprotrudedfromitsheadquiveredandsnuffled;andthenthehornygreenjawscrunchedonit，anddrewitdownoutofsight。
Theboatwasindeepwaternow，andPhorenicecalleduponmetocomeinovertheside，shethewhilebalancingnicelysothattheflimsythingshouldnotbeoverset。Thefishershadgivenuptheirpursuit，findingthattheyearnednothingbutlopped—offarmsandsplitfacesbycomingwithinswingofthisterribleswordoftheirEmpress，andsocontentedthemselveswithvolleyingjaggedstonesinthehopesofstunningusorsplittingtheboat。However，Phorenicecrouchedinthestern，holdingthetwoshields——herowngoldentarget，andtheroughhidebucklerIhadwon——andsoprotectedbothofuswhilstIpaddled，andthoughmanystonesclatteredagainsttheshields，andhitthehidecoveringoftheboat，sothatitresoundedlikeadrum，noneofthemdiddamage，andwedrewquicklyoutoftheirrange。
12。THEDRUGOFOURLADYTHE
MOON
OurLordtheSunwasridingtowardstheendofHisday，andthesmokefromaburningmountainfannedblackandforbiddingbeforeHisface。Phorenicewrungthewaterfromherclothesandshivered。\"Workhardwiththosepaddles，Deucalion，andtakemeinthroughthewater—gateandletmeberestoredtomycomfortsagain。
Thatmerchantwouldrueifhesawhowhisprettygarmentswerespoiled，andIrue，too，beingawoman，andrememberingthatheatleasthasnoothersIcantakeinplaceofthese。\"Shelookedatmesidelong，tossingbacktheshortredhairfromhereyes。\"Whatthinkyouofmywisdomincomingwherewehavecomewithoutanescort？\"
\"TheEmpresscandonowrong，\"Iquotedtheoldformulawithasmile。
\"AtleastIhaveshownyouthatIcanfight。Icaughtyoulookingyourapprovalofmequitepleasantlyonceortwice。Youwereadifficultmantothaw，Deucalion，butyouwarmperceptiblyasyoukeeponbeingnearme。La，sir，weshallbeapairofrusticsweetheartsyet，ifthisgoeson。IamgladIthoughtofthedeviceofgoingnearthosesmellyfishers。\"
Soshehadtakenmeoutinthelitterunattendedfortheplainpurposeofinvitingafight，andshowingmeherskillatarms，andperhaps，too，ofseeinginpersonhowIalsocarriedmyselfinamomentofstress。Well，ifweweretoliveontogetherashusbandandwife，itwasgoodthateachshouldknowtoanicetytheother’spowers;andalso，Iamtoomuchofanoldbattlerandtoomuchenamouredwiththeglorioushandlingofarmstoquarrelverydeeplywithanyonewhooffersmeatoughupstandingfight。Stillforthelifeofme，IcouldnothelpcomparingPhorenicewithanotherwoman。Withasimilarchanceopenbeforeus，Naishadrobbedmeofthestrugglethroughasheerpityforthosesqualidrebelswhodidnotevencallherchieftain;whilstherewasthisEmpressfritteringawaytwoscoreofthehardiestofhersubjectsmerelytogratifyawhim。
Yet，loyaltomyvowasapriest，andtothecommandssetuponmebythehighcouncilontheSacredMountain，Itriedtoputawaythesewaywardthoughtsandcomparisons。AsIrowedovertheswingingsofthewavestowardsthefortswhichguardtheharbour’smouth，IsentprayerstotheHighGodstogivemytonguedexterity，andTheythroughTheirloveforthecountryofAtlantis，andtheharassedpeople，whomitwasmydeepwishtoserve，grantedmethatpowerofspeechwhichPhoreniceloved。HereyesgloweduponmeasItalked。
Thisbeachofthefisherswherewehadhadourpassageatarmsissafefromshipattackfromwithout，byreasonofachainofjaggedrockswhichspringupfromthedeep，andrunfromtheharboursidetotheendofthecitywall。Thefishersknowthepasses，andcanoftentimesgetthroughtotheopenwaterbeyondwithouttouchingastone;oriftheydoseeadangerofhittingonthereef，leapoutandcarrytheirlightboatsintheirhandstillthewaterfloatsthemagain。ButhereIhadneithertheknowledgenorthedexterity，and，thoughtI，nowtheHighGodswillshowfinallyifTheywishthiswomanwhohasdefiledthemtoreignoninAtlantis，andifalsoTheywishmetoserveasherhusband。
Icriedthesethingsinmyheart，andwaitedtoreceivetheomen。Therewasnohalf—answer。Agreatwaveroseinthelagoonbehindus，awavesuchascouldhaveonlybeencausedbyanearthtremor，andonitssleekbackwewerehurledforwardandthrownclearofthereefswiththeirseaweedslickingroundus，withoutsomuchasseeingastoneofthebarrier。IbowedmyheadasIrowedontowardstheharbourforts。ItwasplainthatnotyetwouldtheHighGodstakevengeancefortheinsultswhichthislovelywomanhadofferedThem。
Thesentriesinthetwofortsbeatdrumsatoneanotherintheiraccustomedrotation，andinthegrowingduskweregoingtopaylittleenoughattentiontothefishingboatwhichlayagainstthegreatchainclamouringtohaveitlowered。Butluckilyapairofofficersweretakingtheairoftheeveninginastone—droppingturretoftheroofofthenearerfort，andtheserecognisedthetoneofourshouts。Theysilencedthedrums，torcheswereloweredtomakesureofourfaces，andthenwithasplashthegreatchainwasdroppedintothewatertogiveuspassage。
Agalleylayinside，nuzzlingtheharbourwall，andpresentlytheladderofropeswasletdownfromthetopofthenearestfort，andacrewcamedowntomantheoars。Therewerethecustomarychangesofraimenttoo，givenaspresentsbytheofficersofthefort，andtheseweputoninthecabinofthegalleyinplaceofthesoddenclotheswewore。Therearefeverstobegainedbycarryingwetclothesaftersunset，andthoughfrompersonalexperienceIhavelearnedthatthesemaybewardedoffwithdrugs，InoticedwithsomegrimamusementthattheEmpresshadsufficientlylittleoftheGoddessabouthertofearverymuchtheailmentswhichareduetofrailhumanity。
Thegalleyrowedswiftlyacrossthecalmwatersoftheharbour，andmadefasttotheringsofgoldontheroyalquay，andwhilstwewerewaitingforlitterstobebrought，IwatchedalanternlitintheboatwhichstoodguardoverPhorenice’smammoth。
Thehugeredbeaststoodshoulder—deepintheharbourwater，withtrunkup—turned。Itwastamednow，andthelightoftheboat’slanternfellonthelittleripplessentoutbyitstremblings。ButIdidnotchoosetointercedeoraskmercyforit。Ifthemammothsankdeeperintheharbourmud，andwasswallowed，Icouldhavebornethelosswithequanimity。
Totellthetruth，thatrideonthegreatbeast’sbackhadimpressedmeunfavourably。Infact，itputintomeasenseofhelplessnessthatwaswellnighintolerable。Perhapscircumstanceshavemademeundulyself—reliant:onthatothersmustjudge。ButIwillowntohavingapreferenceforwalkingonmyownproperfeet，astheGodsinfashioningourshapesmostcertainlyintended。
OnmyownfeetIamabletoguardmyownheadandneck，andhavedoneonfourcontinents，throughoutalongandactivelife，andonmanyathousandoccasions。Butonthebackofthatdetestablemammoth，pah！Igrewasnervousasachildoradastard。
However，Ihadlittleenoughleisureforpersonalmegrimsjustthen。Whilstwewaited，Phoreniceaskedtheport—captain（whomustneedscomeupofficiouslytomakehissalutations）afterthedisposalofNais，andwastoldthatshehadbeenclappedintoadungeonbeneaththeroyalpyramid，andtheofficeroftheguardtherehadgivenhisbondforhersafe—keeping。
\"Itistobehopedheunderstandshiswork，\"saidtheEmpress。
\"ThatprettyNaisknowsthepyramidbetterthanmost，anditmaybehewillbesenttothetormentorsforputtingherinacellwhichhadasecretoutlet。Youwouldfeelpleasureifthegirlescaped，Deucalion？\"
\"Assuredly，\"saidI，knowinghowuselessitwouldbetomakeasecretofthematter。\"IhavenoenmityagainstNais。\"
\"ButIhave，\"saidsheviciously，\"andIamstillmindedtolockyourfaithtomebythatweddinggiftyouknowof。\"
\"Thethingshallbedone，\"Isaid。\"Beforeall，theEmpressofAtlantis。\"
\"Poof！Deucalion，youaretoostiffandformal。YououghttobemightilyhonouredthatIcondescendtobejealousofyourfavours。Yourhand，sir，please，tohelpmeintothelitter。Andnowcomeinbesideme，andkeepmewarmagainstthenightair。Ho！
youguardstherewiththetorches！Keepfartherbackagainstthestreetwalls。Theperfumeyouareburningstiflesme。\"
Againtherewasafeastthatnightintheroyalbanqueting—hall;againIsatbesidePhoreniceontheraiseddaiswhichstandsbeneaththesymbolsofthesnakeandtheout—stretchedhand。Whathadbeentakenforgrantedbeforeaboutourforthcomingrelationshipwasthistimeproclaimedopenly;theEmpressherselfacknowledgedmeasherhusbandthatwastobe;andallthatcurledandjewelledthrongofcourtiershailedmeasgreaterthanthemselves，byreasonofthiswoman’schoice。Therewasmethod，too，intheirsalutation。Somerumourmusthavegotaboutofmypreferencefortheolderandsimplerhabits，andtherewasnodrinkingwinetomyhealthafterthenewand（asIconsidered）
impertinentmanner。Decorously，eachlordandladytherecameforward，andeachinturnspiltagobletatmyfeet;andwhenI
calledanyup，whethermanorwoman，toreceivetit—bitsfrommyplatter，itwaseatensimplyandthankfully，andnotkissedorpocketedwithanyextravagantgesture。
Theflaringjetsofearth—breathshowedme，too，soIthought，aplainerhabitofdress，andamoresobermienamongstthisthoughtlessmobofbanqueters。And，indeed，itmusthavebeenplaintonotice，forPhorenice，leaningovertilltheruddycurlsonhershoulderbrushedmyface，chidedmeinaplayfulwhisperashavingusurpedherhighauthorityalready。
\"Oh，sir，\"shepleadedmockingly，\"donotmakeyourruleoverustooascetic。Ihavegivennoordersforthischange，butto—nighttherearenoperfumesintheair;thefoodissoplainandIhavehalfamindtoburnthecook;andasfortheclothesandgaudsofthesediners，bymyface！theymighthavecomestraightfromtheoldKing’sreignbeforeIsteppedinheretoshowhowtastefulcouldbecoloursonarobe，orhowprettytheglintofajewel。It’sdonebynoordersofmine，Deucalion。Theyhaveswungroundtothischangebysheercourtierinstinct。Why，lookatthebeardsofthemen！Thereisnothalfthecurlaboutmanyofthemto—daythattheyshowedwithsuchexquisitenessyesterday。Bymyface！Ibelievethey’dreaptheirchinsto—morrowassmoothasyours，ifyougoonsettingthefashionsatthisprodigiousrateandIdonotinterfere。\"
\"Whyhinderthemiftheyfeelmorecleanlyshaven？\"
\"No，sir。ThereshallbeonlyonecleanchinwhereabeardcangrowinallAtlantis，andthatshallbecarriedbythemanwhoishusbandtotheEmpress。Why，myDeucalion，wouldyouhavenosumptuarylaws？Wouldyouhavethesegoodfolkhereandthecommonpeopleoutsideimitateusineverycutofthehairandeveryfoldofagarmentwhichitpleasesustodiscover？Come，sir，ifyouandIchosetosaythatoursovereigntywasmarkedonlybyoursuperiorstrengthofarmandwit，theywouldhateusatonceforourarrogance;whereas，ifwekeepaparttoourselvesafewmerepersonaldecorations，thesebecomejustobjectstoadmireandpleasantlyenvy。\"
\"Youshowmethatthereismoreintheofficeofarulerthanmeetstheeye。\"
\"Andyettheytellme，andindeedshowme，thatyouhaveruledwithsomesuccess。\"
\"Iemployedtheoldermethod。ItrequiresaPhorenicetoinventthesenicerflights。\"
\"Flatterer！\"saidshe，andsmotemeplayfullywiththebackofherlittlefingersonmyarm。\"Youarebecomingasgreatacourtierasanyofthem。Youmakemeblushwithyourfinepleasantries，Deucalion，andthereisnofan—girlhereto—nighttocoolmycheek。Imustchoosemeanotherfan—girl。ButitshallnotbeYlga。YlgaseemstohavemoreofakindnessforyouthanI
like，andifsheiswiseshewillgoliveinherpalaceattheothersideofthecity，andthereoccupyherselfwiththeorderingofherslaves，andthemakingsofembroideries。IshallnotbehardonYlgaunlesssheforcesme，butIwillhavenowomaninthiskingdomtreatyouwithunduecivility。\"
\"AndhowamItoact，\"saidI，fallinginwithhermood，\"whenIseeandhearallthemenofAtlantismakingtheirprotestationsbeforeyou？Byyourownconfessiontheyallloveyouasardentlyastheyseemtohavelovedyouhopelessly。\"
\"Ah，now，\"shesaid，\"youmustnotaskmetodoimpossibilities。Iampowerfulifyouwill。ButIhavenoforcewhichwillgoverntheheartsofthesepoorfellowsonmatterssuchasthat。Butifyouchoose，youmakeproclamationthatIamgivennowbodyandinwardstoyou，andiftheycontinuetooffendyourprideinthismatter，youmaytakeyourculprits，andgivethemovertothetormentors。Indeed，Deucalion，Ithinkitwouldbeaprettyattentiontomeifyoudidarrangesomesuchceremony。Itseemstomeapresent，\"sheaddedwithafrown，\"thatthejealousyistoomuchononeside。\"
\"Youmustnotexpectthatamanwhohasbeendivorcedfromloveforallofabusylifecanlearnallitsnicetiesinaninstant。Myself，Iwasfeelingproudofmyprogress。Withanyotherschoolmistressthanyou，Phorenice，Ishouldnotbenearsoforward。Infact（ifonemayjudgebymypastrecord），Ishouldnothavebeguntolearnatall。\"
\"IsupposeyouthinkIshouldbesatisfiedwiththat？Well，Iamnot。Icanbefinelygreedyoversomematters。\"
Thebanquetthisnightdidnotextendtoinordinatelength。
Phorenicehadgonethroughmuchsincelastsheslept，andthoughshehaddeclaredherselfGoddessinthemeantime，itseemedthatherbodyremainedmortalasheretofore。Theblackringsofwearinesshadgrownunderherwondrouseyes，andshelaybackamongstthecushionsofthedivanwithherlimbsslackenedandlistless。Whenthedancerscameandposturedbeforeus，shethrewthemajewelandbadethembegonebeforetheyhadgivenahalfoftheirperformance，andthepoet，asillyswellingfellowwhocametosingthedeedsoftheday，shewouldnothearatall。
\"To—morrow，\"shesaidwearily，\"butfornowgrantmepeace。
MyLordDeucalionhasgivenmemuchfoodforthoughtthisday，andpresentlyIgotomychambertomuseoverthefuturepoliciesofthisStatethroughoutthenight。To—morrowcometomeagain，andifyourpoetryisgoodandshort，Iwillpayyousurprisingly。Butseetoitthatyouarenotlong—winded。Iftherearesuperfluouswords，Iwillpayyouforthosewiththestick。\"
Sherosetoherfeetthen，andwhenthebanquetershadmadetheirsalutationtous，Iledherawayfromthebanqueting—hallanddownthepassageswiththeirsecretdoorswhichledtoherprivatechambers。Sheclungonmyarm，andoncewhenwehaltedwhilstagreatstoneblockswungslowlyajartoletuspass，shedroopedherheadagainstmyshoulder。Herbreathcamewarmagainstmycheek，andthelovelinessofherfacesocloseathandsurpassesthedescriptionofwords。IthinkitwasinhermindthatIshouldkisstheredlipswhichwereheldsoneartomine，butwillingthoughIwastoplaythepartappointed，Icouldnotbringmyselftothat。Sowhenthestoneblockhadswung，shedrewawaywithasigh，andwewentonwithoutfurtherspeech。
\"MaytheHighGodstreatyoutenderly，\"Isaid，whenwecametothedoorofherbed—chamber。
\"IammyownGod，\"saidshe，\"inallthingsbutone。Bymyface！youareatardywooer，Deucalion。Wheredoyougonow？\"
\"Tomyownchamber。\"
\"Oh，gothen，go。\"
\"IsthereanythingmoreIcoulddo？\"
\"Nothingthatyourwitoryourwillwouldpromptyouto。Yes，indeed，youarefinelydecorous，Deucalion，inyourold—fashionedway，butyouareamightypoorwooer。Don’tyouknow，myman，thatawomanesteemssomethingsthemorehighlyiftheyaretakenfromherbyrudeforce？\"
\"ItseemsIknowlittleenoughaboutwomen。\"
\"Youneversaidatruerword。Bah！AndIbelieveyourcoldnessbringsyoumorebenefitinacertainmatterthananyshowofpassioncouldearn。There，getyougone，iftheatmosphereofamaiden’sbed—chamberhurtsyourrusticmodesty，andyourGodskeepyou，Deucalion，ifthat’sthephrase，andifyouthinkTheycandoit。Getyougone，man，andleavemesolitary。\"
Ihadtakentheplanofthepyramidoutofthearchivesbeforethebanquetandlearneditthoroughly，andsowasabletothreadmywaythroughitsangularmazeswithoutpauseorblunder。I，too，washeavilyweariedwithwhatIhadgonethroughsincemylastsnatchofsleep，butIdaresetapartnotimeforrestjustthen。
NaismustbesacrificedinpartfortheneedsofAtlantis;butaplanhadcometomebywhichitseemedthatsheneednotbesacrificedwholly;andtocarrythisthroughtherewasneedforquickthoughtandaction。
HelpcametomealsofromaquarterIdidnotexpect。AsI
passedalongthetortuouswaybetweentheponderousstonesofthepyramid，whichledtotheapartmentsthathadbeengivenmebyPhorenice，awomanglidedupoutoftheshadowsofoneofthesidepassages，andwhenIliftedmyhandlamp，therewasYlga。
Sheregardedmehalf—sullenly。\"Ihavelostmyplace，\"shesaid，\"anditseemsIneedneverhavespoken。Sheintendedtohaveyouallalong，anditwasnotathinglikethatwhichcouldputheroff。Andyou——youjustthinkmeofficious，if，indeed，youhaveevergivenmeanotherthoughttillnow。\"
\"Ineverforgetakindness。\"
\"Oh，youwilllearnthattricksoonnow。Andyouaregoingtomarryher，you！Thecityisringingwithit。Ithoughtatleastyouwerehonest，butwhenthereisahighplacetobegotbymerelytakingawomanwithit，youareliketherest。Ithought，too，thatyouwouldbeoneofthosemenwhohaveadistrustforruddyhair。And，besidessheislittle。\"
\"Ylga，\"Isaid，\"youhavetaughtmethatthesewallsarefullofcranniesandears。IwilllistentonowordagainstPhorenice。
ButIwouldhavefurtherconversewithyousoon。Ifyoustillhaveakindnessforme，gotothechamberthatismineandwaitformethere。Iwilljoinyoushortly。\"
Shedroopedhereyes。\"Whatdoyouwantofme，Deucalion？\"
\"Iwanttosaysomethingtoyou。Youwilllearnwhoitconcernslater。\"
\"Butisit——isitfittingforamaidentocometoaman’sroomatthishour？\"
\"IknowlittleofyourconventionshereinthisnewAtlantis。
IamDeucalion，girl，andifyoustillhavequalms，rememberingthat，donotcome。\"
Shelookedupatmewithasneer。\"Iwasfoolish，\"shesaid。
\"Mylord’scoldnesshasgrownintoaproverb，andIshouldhaverememberedit。Yes;Iwillcome。\"
\"Gonow，then，\"saidI，andwaitedtillshehadpassedonaheadandwasoutofsightandhearing。WithYlgatohelpme，mytasksweresomewhatlightened，andtheirsequencechanged。Inthefirstinstance，now，IhadgottomakemywaywithaslittledelayandshowaspossibleintoacertainsanctuarywhichlaywithinthetempleofourLadytheMoon。AndheremyknowledgeasoneoftheSevenstoodmeinhighfavour。