AllthetemplesofthecityofAtlantisareinimmediateandsecretconnectionwiththeroyalpyramid，butthepassagesarelittleused，seeingthattheyareknownonlytotheSevenandtotheThreeabovethem，supposingthattherearethreemenlivingatonetimesufficientlylearnedinthehighestofthehighestmysteriestobeinstalledinthatsublimedegreeoftheThree。
And，evenbythese，thesecretwaysmayonlybeusedonoccasionsofthegreateststress，sothatagenerationwellmaypasswithouttheirbeingtroddenbyahumanfoot。
Itwaswithsometrouble，andafternolittleexperimentthatIgropedmywayintothissecretalley;butoncethere，therestwaseasy。Ihadnevertroddenitbeforecertainly，buttheplanofithadbeentaughtmeatmyinitiationasoneoftheSeven，andthecourseofthewindingscamebacktomenowwitheasyaccuracy。I
walkedquickly，notonlybecausetheairinthosedeepcranniesisalwaysfulloflurkingevils，butalsobecausethehourswerefleeting，andmuchmustbedonebeforeourLordtheSunagainrosetomakeanotherday。
Icametothespy—placewhichcommandsthetemple，andfoundtheholyplaceempty，and，alas！dust—covered，andshowinglittletracethatworshipperseverfrequentedittheselatteryears。A
vaststoneofthewallswungoutwardsandgavemeentrance，andpresently（afterthesolemnprayerwhichisneedfulbeforeattemptingthesematters），Itookthemetalstairfromtheplacewhereitiskept，andclimbedtothelapoftheGoddess，andthen，pullingthestairafterme，climbedagainupwardstillmylengthlayagainsthercalmmysteriousface。
AshiveringseizedmeasIthoughtofwhatwasintended，forevenawarriorhardenedtohorridsightsanddeedsmaywellhavequalmswhenheiscalledupontojugglewithlifeanddeath，andyearsandhistory，withthewelfareofhiscountryinonehand，andthefutureofawomanwhoisaslifetohimintheother。ButagainItoldmyselfthatthehoursflew，andlaidholdofthejewelwhichisstuddedintotheforeheadoftheimagewithonehand，andthenstretchingout，thrustatacorneroftheeyebrowwiththeother。Withafaintcreakthemassiveeyeballbelow，astonethatIcouldbarelyhavecoveredwithmyback，swunginwards。Isteppedoffthestair，andclimbedintothegap。InsidewasthechamberwhichishollowedfromtheheadoftheGoddess。
ItwasthefirsttimeIhadseenthismostsecretplace，buttheaspectofitwasfamiliartomefrommyteaching，andIknewwheretofindthethingwhichwouldfillmyneed。Yet，occupiedthoughImightbewiththestressofwhatwastobefall，Icouldnothelphavingawonderandanadmirationfortheclevernesswithwhichitwashidden。
HighasIwasinthelearningandmysteriesofthePriestlyClan，thestructureofwhatIhadcometofetchwashiddenfromme。
BeforetimeIhadknownonlyoftheirpowerandeffect;andnowthatIcametohandlethem，Isawonlysomeroughlyroundedballs，likenutkernels，grassgreenincolour，andinhardnesslikethewaxofbees。Therewerethreeoftheseballsinthehiddenplace，andI
tooktheonethatwasneedful，concealingtheothersasIhadfoundthem。Itmayhavebeenadrug，itmayhavebeensomethingmore;
whatexactlyitwasIdidnotknow;onlyofitspowerandeffectI
wassure，asthatwassetforthplainlyintheteachingIhadlearned;andsoIputitinapouchofmygarment，returningbythewayIhadcome，andreplacingallthingsindueorderbehindme。
OnelookItookattheimageoftheGoddessbeforeIleftthetemple。Thejetofearth—breathwhichburnseternallyfromthecentralaltarlitherfromheadtotoe，andthrewsparklesfromthegreatjewelinherforehead。Vastshewas，andcalmandpeacefulbeyondallhumanimaginings，aperfectsymbolismofthatrestandquietnesswhichmanysighforsovainlyonthisrudeearth，butwhichtheywillneverattainunlessbytheirpietytheyearnaplaceinthehereafter，whereourLadytheMoonandtherestoftheHighOnesreigninTheireternalgloriousmajesty。
ItwaswithtireddragginglimbsthatImademywaybackagaintotheroyalpyramid，andatlastcametomyownprivatechamber。
Ylgaawaitedmethere，thoughatfirstIdidnotseeher。Thesuspicionsofthesemoderndayshadtakenadeepholdofthegirl，andshemustneedscrouchinhidingtillshemadesureitwasIwhocametothechamber，and，moreover，thatIcamealone。
\"Oh，frownatmeifyouchoose，\"saidshesullenly，\"Iampastcaringnowforyourgoodopinion。IhadheardsomuchofDeucalion，andIthoughtIreadhonestyinyouwhenfirstyoucameashore;butnowIknowthatyouarenobetterthantherest。
Phoreniceoffersyouahighplace，andyoumarryherblithelytogetit。Andwhy，indeed，shouldyounotmarryher？Peoplesaysheispretty，andIknowshecanbewarm。Ihaveseenherwarmandlanguishingtoscoresofmen。Sheisclever，too，withhereyes，isourgreatEmpress;Igrantherthat。Andasforyou，itticklesyoutobecourted。\"
\"Ithinkyouareaverysillywoman，\"Isaid。
\"Ifyouflatteryourselfitmattersaraptomewhomyoumarry，youarelettingconceitrunawaywithyou。\"
\"Listen，\"Isaid。\"Ididnotaskyouheretomakefoolishspeecheswhichseemlargelybeyondmycomprehension。Iaskedyoutohelpmedoaservicetooneofyourownblood—kin。\"
Shestaredatmewonderingly。\"Idonotunderstand。\"
\"ItrestslargelywithyouastowhetherNaisdiesto—morrow，orwhethersheisthrownintoasleepfromwhichshemaywakenonsomelaterandmorehappyday。\"
\"Nais！\"shegasped。\"Mytwin，Nais？Sheisnothere。Sheisoutinthecampwiththosenastyrebelswhobiteagainstthecitywalls，if，indeed，stillshelives。\"
\"Nais，yoursisterisnearusintheroyalpyramidthisminute，andunderguard，thoughwhereIdonotknow。\"AndwiththatItoldherallthathadpassedsincethegirlwasbroughtupaprisonerinthegalleyofthatfoolish，fawningcaptainoftheport。\"TheEmpresshasdecreedthatNaisshallbeburiedaliveunderathroneofgranitewhichIamtobuildforherto—morrow，andburiedshewillassuredlybe。YetIhaveakindnessforNais，whichyoumayguessatifyouchoose，andIammindedtosendherintoasleepsuchasonlywehigherpriestsknowof，fromwhichatsomefuturedayshemaypossiblyawaken。\"
\"SoitisNais;andnotPhorenice，andnot——notanyother？\"
\"Yes;itisNais。ImarrytheEmpressbecauseZaemon，whoismouthpiecetotheHighCouncilofthePriests，hasorderedit，forthegoodofAtlantis。Butmyinwardsremainstillcoldtowardsher。\"
\"AlmostIhatepoorNaisalready。\"
\"Yourvengeancewouldbeeasy。Donottellmewheresheisgaoled，andIshallnotdaretoask。EventogiveNaisafurtherspanoflifeIcannotriskmakinginquiriesforhercell，whenthereisachancethatthosewhotellmemightcarrynewstotheEmpress，andsocausemoretroubleforthispoorAtlantis。\"
\"AndwhyshouldInotcarrythenews，andsobringmyselfintofavouragain？Itellyouthatbeingfan—girltoPhoreniceandsecondwomaninthekingdomisathingthatnotmanywouldcastlightlyaside。\"
Ilookedherbetweeneyesandsmiled。\"Ihavenofearthere。
Youwillnotbetrayme，Ylga。NeitherwillyousellNais。\"
\"IseemtorememberverysmallloveforthissameNaisjustnow，\"shesaidbitterly。\"Butyouarerightaboutthatothermatter。Ishallnotbuymyselfbackatyourexpense。Oh，Iamafool，Iknow，andyoucangivemenothanksthatIcareabout，butthereisnootherwayIcanact。\"
\"Thenletusfritternomoretime。GoyououtnowandfindwhereNaisisgaoled，andbringmenewshowIcansaytenwordstoher，andpressacertainmatterintoherclasp。\"
Shebowedherheadandleftthechamber，andforlongenoughIwasalone。Isatdownonthecouch，andrestedwearilyagainstthewall。Mybonesached，myeyesached，andmostofall，myinwardsached。Ihadthoughttomyselfthatamanwhomakeshislifesufficientlybusywillfindnoleisureforthesepainswhichassaultfrailerfolk;butaphilosophylikethis，whichcarriedonewellinYucatan，showedpoorlyenoughwhenonetriedithereathome。Butthattherewasdutyahead，andtheorderoftheHighCounciltobecarriedintoeffect，thebleaknessoftheprospectwouldhavedauntedme，andIwouldhaveprayedtheGodsthentosparemefurtherlife，andtakemeuntoThemselves。
Ylgacamebackatlast，andIgotupandwentquicklyafterherassheleddownamazeofpassagesandalleyways。\"Therehasbeennocaresparedoverherguarding，\"shewhispered，aswehaltedoncetomoveastone。\"Theofficeroftheguardisanoldloverofmine，andIraisedhishopestotheburningpointagainbyadozenwords。ButwhenIwantedtoseehisprisoner，therehewasasfirmasbrass。Itoldhimshewasmysister，butthatdidnotmovehim。
Iofferedhim——oh，Deucalion，itmakesmeblushtothinkofthethingsIdidoffertothatman，buttherewasnostirringhim。Hehaswatchedthetormentorssomanytimes，thatthereisnotemptinghimintotouchoftheirinstruments。\"
\"Ifyouhavefailed，whybringmeouthere？\"
\"Oh，Iamnotinveiglingyouintoalover’swalkwithmyself，sir。Youtickleyourselfwhenyouthinkyoursocietyissopleasantasthat。\"
\"Come，girl，tellmethenwhatitis。Ifmytemperisshort，credititagainstmyweariness。\"
\"Ihavecarriedoutmylord’scommandsinpart。IknowthecellwhereNaislives，andIhavehadspeechwithher，thoughnotthroughthedoor。Andmoreover，Ihavenotseenherortouchedherhand。\"
\"Yourriddlesarebeyondme，Ylga，butifthereisachance，letusgetonandhavethisbusinessdone。\"
\"Weareattheplacenow，\"saidshe，withahardlittlelaugh，\"andifyoukneelonthefloor，youwillfindanairshaft，andNaiswillansweryoufromthelowerend。Formyself，Iwillleaveyou。
Ihaveadelicacyinhearingwhatyouwanttosaytomysister，Deucalion。\"
\"Ithankyou，\"Isaid。\"Iwillnotforgetwhatyouhavedoneformethisnight。\"
\"Youmaykeepyourthanks，\"shesaidbitterly，andwalkedawayintotheshadows。
Ikneltonthefloorofthegallery，andfoundtheairpassagewithmyhand，andthen，puttingmylipstoit，whisperedforNais。
Theanswercameontheinstant，muffledandquiet。\"Iknewmylordwouldcomeforafarewell。\"
\"WhattheEmpresssaid，hastobe。Youunderstand，mydear？
ItisforAtlantis。\"
\"HaveIreproachedmylord，bywordorglance？\"
\"Imyselfambiddentoplaceyouinthehollowbetweenthestones，andImustdoit。\"
\"Thenmylastsleepwillbeasweetone。Icouldnotasktobetouchedbypleasanterhands。\"
\"ButitmayhapthatadaywillcomewhenshewhomyouknowofwillbesufferedbytheHighGodstoliveonthislandofAtlantisnolonger。\"
\"Ifmylordwillcherishmypoormemorywhenheisfreeagain，Ishallbegrateful。Hemight，ifhechose，writethemonthestones:HerewasburiedamaidwhodiedgladlyforthegoodofAtlantis，eventhoughsheknewthatthemanshesodearlylovedwashusbandtohermurderess。\"
\"Youmustnotdie，\"Iwhispered。\"Mybreastisnearbrokenattheverythoughtofit。Andforrespite，wemusttrusttotheancientknowledge，whichinitsdayhasbeensentoutfromtheArkoftheMysteries。\"——Itookthegreenwaxyballinmyfingers，andstretchedthemdownthecrookedair—shafttothefullofmyspan。——\"Ihavesomewhatforyouhere。Reachupandtrytocatchitfromme。\"
Iheardthefaintrustleofherarmasitsweptagainstthemasonry，andthentheballwastakenoverintohergrasp。Gods！
whatathrillwentthroughmewhenthefingersofNaistouchedmine！Icouldnotseeher，becauseofthecrookednessoftheshaft，butthatfainttouchofherwasexquisite。
\"Ihaveit，\"shewhispered。\"Andwhatnow，dear？\"
\"Youwillhidethethinginyourgarment，andwhento—morrowtheupperstoneclosesdownuponyouandthelightisgone，thenyouwilltakeitbetweenyourlipsandletitdissolveasitwill。
Sleepwilltakeyou，mydarling，then，andtheHighGodswillwatchoveryou，eventhoughcenturiespassbeforeyouareroused。\"
\"IfDeucaliondoesnotwakeme，Ishallprayneveragaintoopenaneye。Andnowgo，mylordandmydear。Theywatchmehereconstantly，andIwouldnothaveyouharmedbybeingbroughttonotice。\"
\"Yes，Imustgo，mysweetheart。Itwillnotdotohaveourschemespoiledbyafoolishloitering。MaythemostHighGodsattendyourrest，andifthesacrificewemakefindsfavour，mayTheygrantusmeetinghereagainonearthbeforewemeet——aswemust——whenourtimeisdone，andTheytakeusuptoTheirownplace。\"
\"Amen，\"shewhisperedback，andthen:\"Kissyourfingers，dear，andthrustthemdowntome。\"
Ididthat，andforaninstantfeltherfondlethemdownthecrookoftheairshaftoutofsight，andthenheardherwithdrawherlittlehandandkissitfondly。Thenagainshekissedherownfingersandstretchedthemup，andItookupthevirtueofthatpartingkissonmyfinger—tipsandpresseditsacredlytomylips。
\"Living，sleeping，ordead，alwaysmydarling，\"shewhispered。
Andthen，beforeIcouldanswer，shewhisperedagain:\"Go，theyarecomingforme。\"AndsoIwent，knowingthatIcoulddonomoretohelpherthen，andknowingthatallourschemeswouldbespiltifanyeyespieduponmeasIlaytherebesidetheairshaft。Butmychestwasliketohavesplitwiththedull，helplessanguishthatwasinit，asImademywaybacktomychamberthroughthemazyalleysofthepyramid。
\"Donotlookuponmineeyes，dear，whenthetimecomes，\"hadbeenherlastcommand，\"ortheywilltellatalewhichPhorenice，beingawoman，wouldread。Remember，wemakethesesmalldenials，notforourownlikings，butforAtlantis，whichismothertousall。\"
13。THEBURYINGALIVEOFNAIS
ThereisnodenyingthatthewishesofPhorenicewerecarriedintoquickeffectinthecityofAtlantis。HermoderntheorywasthatthecountryandallthereinexistedonlyforthegoodoftheEmpress，andwhenshehadadesire，nocostcouldpossiblybetoogreatinitscarryingout。
ShehadgivenforthheredictconcerningtheburyingaliveofNais，andthoughthewordswerethatIwastobuildthethroneofstone，itwasanunderstoodthingthatthemanuallabourwastobedoneformebyothers。Heraldsmadetheproclamationineverywardofthecity，andmasons，labourers，stonecutters，sculptors，engineers，andarchitectstookhandsfromwhateverwasoccupyingthemforthemoment，andhastenedtotherendezvous。Thearchitectschoseachiefwhogavedirections，andthelesserarchitectsandtheengineerssawthesecarriedintoeffect。Anymaterialwithinthewallsofthecityonwhichtheysettheirseal，wastakenatoncewithoutpaymentorcompensation;andastheblocksofstonetheychosewerethemostmonstrousthatcouldbegot，theywereforcedtodemolishnofewbuildingstogivethempassage。
Ihavebeforespokenofthemodernrageforerectingnewpalacesandpyramids，andeventhoughatthemomentanarmyofrebelswasbatteringwithwarenginesatthecitywalls，thebuildingguildsweresteadilyatwork，andtheirskill（withPhorenice’smarvellousinventiontoaidthem）wasconstantlyontheincrease。True，theycouldnotmovesuchmassiveblocksofstoneasthosewhichtheearlyGodsplantedforthesacredcircleofourLordtheSun，buttheyhadgotramsandtrucksandcraneswhichcouldhandleamazingbulks。
Thethronewastobeerectedintheopensquarebeforetheroyalpyramid。Seventiersofstonewerethereforagroundwork，eachaknee—heightdeep，andeachcutinthefrontwiththreesteps。IntheuppermostlayerwasacavitymadetoholdthebodyofNais，andabovethiswaspoisedthevastblockwhichformedtheseatofthethroneitself。
Throughoutthenight，tothelightoftorches，relayafterrelayofthestonecutters，andthemasons，andthesweatinglabourershadtoiledoverbringingupthestoneanddressingitintofitshape，andlayingitindueposition;andtheengineershadbuiltmachinesforlifting，andthearchitectshadprovedthateachstonelayinitsjustandperfectplace。Whipscracked，andmenfaintedwiththelabour，butsosoonasonewasincapableanotherpressedforwardintohisplace。NodelaywasbrookedwhenPhorenicehadsaidherwish。
Andfinally，asthesquarebegantofillwithpeoplecometogapeatthepageantofto—day，thechippingsandthescaffoldingwereclearedaway，andwithitthebodiesofsomehalf—scoreofworkmenwhohaddiedfromaccidentsortheirexertionsduringthebuilding，andtherestoodthethrone，splendidinitscarvings，andallreadyforcompletion。Thelowerpartstoodmorethantwoman—heightsabovetheground，andnostoneofitscoursesweighedlessthantwentymen;theupperpartwasdoubletheweightofanyofthese，andwascarvedsothattheroyalsnakeencircledthechair，andthegreathoodedheadovershadowedit。Butatpresenttheupperpartwasnotonitsbed，beinghelduphighbyliftingrams，forwhatpurposesallmenknew。
Itwastofacethisscene，then，thatIcameoutfromtheroyalpyramidatthesummonsofthechamberlainsinthecoolofnextmorning。Eachgreatmanwhohadcometherebeforemehadbanner—
bearersandtrumpeterstoproclaimhispresence;themiddleclasseswereinalltheirbraveryofapparel;andevenpoorsqualidcreatures，withribsofhungershowingthroughtheirdustyskins，hadturbansandwispsofcolourwrappedabouttheirheadstomarkthegaietyoftheday。
Thetrumpetsproclaimedmycoming，andthepeopleshoutedwelcome，andwiththegorgeouschamberlainswalkingbackwardsinadvance，Iwentacrosstoascarletawningthathadbeenprepared，andtookmyseatuponthecushionsbeneathit。
AndthencamePhorenice，mybridethatwastobethatday，freshfromsleep，andgloriousinhersplendidbeauty。ShewasborneoutfromthepyramidinanopenlitterofgoldandivorybyfantasticsavagesfromEurope，herownrefinementoffeaturebeingthrownupintoallthehigherreliefbycontrastwiththeirbrutishugliness。Onecouldhearthepeopledrawadeepbreathofdelightastheireyesfirstfelluponher;anditiseasytobelievetherewasnotamaninthatcrowdwhichthrongedthesquarewhodidnotenvymeherchoice，norwasthereasoulpresent（unlessYlgawastheresomewhereveiled）whocouldbyanystretchimaginethatIwasnotoverjoyedinwinningsolovelyawife。
Formyself，Isummonedupalltheironofmytrainingtoguardtheexpressionofmyface。Wewerehereonceremonialto—day;aghastlyenoughaffairthroughoutallitsacts，ifyouchoose，butstillceremonial;andIwasmindedtoshowPhoreniceagrandmannerthatwouldleavehernothingtocavilat。Afterallthathadbeengonethroughandendured，Ididnotintendagreatschemetobeshatteredbylettingmyagonyandpainshowthemselves，ineitherashakinghandoratwitchingcheek。Whenitcametothepoint，I
toldmyself，Iwouldlaythelivingbodyofmyloveinthehollowbeneaththestoneascalmly，andwithaslittleoutwardemotion，asthoughIhadbeenamerepriestcarryingouttheburialofsomedeadstranger。Andshe，onherpart，wouldnot，Iknew，betrayoursecret。Withher，too，itwastruly\"BeforeallAtlantis。\"
Ithinkitsparedapangtofindthattherewastobenomockeryorflippancyinwhatwentforward。Allwassolemnandimpressive;and，thoughacertaingrandeurandsombrenesswhichbitdeepintomybreastwaslosttothevulgarcrowd，Ifancythattheoutwardshapeofthedoublesacrificetheywitnessedthatdaywouldnotbeforgottenbyanyofthem，althoughtheinnermeaningofitallwascompletelyhiddenfromtheirminds。Whenitsuitedherfancy，nonecouldbemorestrictontheritualofaceremonythanthismany—moodedEmpress，anditappearedthatonthisoccasionshehadgivencommandthatallthingsweretobecarriedoutwiththerigidexactnessandpompoftheoldermanner。
SoshewasborneupbyherEuropeanstothescarletawning，andIhandedhertotheground。Sheseatedherselfonthecushions，andbeckonedmetoherside，entwiningherfingerswithmineashasalwaysbeenthecustomwithrulersofAtlantisandtheirconsorts。Andtherebeforeusaswesat，abodyofsoldierymarchedup，andopeningoutshowedNaisintheirmidst。Shehadacollarofmetalroundherneck，withchainsdependingfromitfirmlyheldbyabraceofguards，sothatsheshouldnotruninuponthespearsoftheescort，andthusgetaquickandeasydeath，whichisoftenthecustomofthosecondemnedtothemorelingeringpunishments。
Butitwaspleasanttoseethatshestillworeherclothing。
Raiment，whetheroffabricorskin，hasitsvalue，andcustomhasalwaysgiventhegarmentsofthecondemnedtothesoldiersguardingthem。SoasNaiswasnotstripped，Icouldnotbutseethatsomeonehadgivenmoneystotheguardsasarecompense，andinthisI
thoughtIsawthehandofYlga，andfeltagratitudetowardsher。
Thesoldiersbroughtherforwardtotheedgeofthepavilion’sshade，andshewasbiddenprostrateherselfbeforetheEmpress，andthisshewiselydidandsoavoidedroughhandlingandforce。Herfacewaspale，butshowedneitherfearnordefiance，andhereyeswerecalmandnatural。ShewasrememberingwhatwasduetoAtlantis，andIwasthrilledwithloveandprideasIwatchedher。
ButoutwardlyI，too，wasimpassiveasamanofstone，andthoughIknewthatPhorenice’seyewasonmyface，therewasneveranythingonitfromfirsttolastthatIwouldnothavehadhersee。
\"Nais，\"saidtheEmpress，\"youhaveeatenfrommyplatterwhenyouwerefan—girl，anddrunkfrommycup，andwhatwasyoursIgaveyou。Youshouldhavehadmorethangratitude，youshouldhavehadknowledgealsothatthearmoftheEmpresswaslongandherhandconsummatelyheavy。Butitseemsthatyouhaveneitherofthesethings。And，moreover，youhavetriedtotakeacertainmatterthattheEmpresshassetapartforherself。Youwereofferedpardon，onterms，andyourejectedit。Youwerefoolish。ButitisadaynowwhenIaminclinedtoclemency。Presently，seatedonthatcarvedthroneofgranitewhichhehasbuiltmeyonder，IshalltakemyLordDeucaliontohusband。Givemeaplainwordthatyouaresorry，girl，andnameamanwhomyouwouldchoose，andIwillrememberthebrightnessoftheoccasion，youshallbepardonedandwedbeforewerisefromthesecushions。\"
\"Iwillnotwed，\"shesaidquietly。
\"Thinkforthelasttime，Nais，ofwhatistheotherchoice。
Youwillbetaken，warm，andquick，andbeautifulasyoustandtherethisminute，andlaidinthehollowplacethatismadebeneaththethrone—stone。Deucalion，thatistobemyhusband，willlayyouinthatawfulbed，asasymbolthatsoshallperishallPhorenice’senemies，andthenhewillreleasetheramsandlowertheupperstoneintoplace，andtheworldshallseeyourfacenomore。Lookatthebrightsky，Nais，fillyourchestwiththesweetwarmair，andthenthinkofwhatthisdeathwillmean。
Believeme，girl，Idonotwanttomakeyouanexampleunlessyouforceme。\"
\"Iwillnotwed，\"saidtheprisonerquietly。
TheEmpressloosedherfingersfrommyarm，andlaybackagainstthecushions。\"Ifthegirlpresumesonouroldfamiliarity，orthinksthatIjest，showhernow，Deucalion，thatIdonot。\"
\"TheEmpressisfarfromjesting，\"Isaid。\"IwilldothisthingbecauseitisthewishoftheEmpressthatitshouldbedone，andbecauseitisthecommandoftheEmpressthatasymbolofitshallremainforeverasanexampleforothers。Leadyourprisonertotheplace。\"
Thesoldierswheeled，andthetwoguardswiththechainsofthecollarwhichwasontheneckofNaispreparedtoputoutforcetodragherupthesteps。Butshewalkedwiththemwillingly，andwithacolourunchanged，andIrosefrommyseat，andmadeobeisancetotheEmpressandfollowedthem。
Beforeallthosetenthousandeyes，wetwomadenodisplayofemotionthen，notonlyforAtlantis’sake，butalsobecausebothNaisandIhadanicetyandaprideinournatures。WewerenotasPhorenicetoflauntendearmentsbeforeothers。
Yet，whenIhadbiddentheguardsunhaspthecollarwhichheldtheprisoner’sneck，andclappedmyarmsaroundher，showingalltheroughnessofonewhohasnomindthathiscaptiveshallescapeorevenundulystruggle，athrillgushedthroughmesopotentthatIwasliketohavefainted，anditwasonlybysupremestrainofwillthatIheldunbrokenlyonwiththeceremonial。I，whohadneverembracedawomanwithaughtbutthearmofroughnessbefore，nowheldpressedtomeonewhomIlovedwithaninfinitetenderness，andtherevelationofhowlovecancomeoutandlinkwithlovewasalmostmyundoing。Yet，outwardly，Naismadesosign，butlayhalf—strangledinmyarms，asanywomandoesthatisbeingborneawaybyaspoiler。
Itrodwithhertotheuppermoststep，thevastthrone—stoneoverhangingus，andthensothatallofthosewhoweregazingfromthesidesofthepyramidsandtheroofsofthebuildingsroundmightsee，thoughwewerebeyondPhorenice’sview，Iusedaforcethatwasbrutalindraggingheracrossthelevel，andputtingherdownintothehollow。Andyetthegirlresistedmewithnooneeffortwhatever。
Sothatthevictimmightnotstruggleoutandbecrushed，andsogainaneasydeathwhenthestonedescended，therewerebrazenclampstofitintogroovesofthestonesabovethehollowwhereshelay，andtheseIfittedinplaceaboveher，andfastenedonebyone，doingthisbutcher’sworkwithonehand，andstillfiercelyholdingherdownbytheother。Gods！andthesweatofagonydrippedfrommeontothethirstystoneasIworked。Icouldnotkeepthatin。
Iclampedandlockedthelasttwobarsinplace，andtookmybrute’shandawayfromherthroat。
Thehatefulfingermarksshowedasbloodlessfurrowsinthewhitenessofherskin。Forthelifeofme，yes，evenforthefateofAtlantis，Icouldnothelpdroppingmyglanceuponherface。
ButshewasstrongerthanI。Shegavemenolastlook。Shekepthereyessteadfastlyfixedonthecruelstoneabove，andsoIlefther，knowingthatitwasbestnottotarrylonger。
Icameoutfromunderthestone，andgavethesigntotheengineerswhostoodbytherams。Thefiresweretakenawayfromtheirsides，andthemetalinthembegantocontract，andslowlythevastbulkofthethrone—stonebegantocreepdowntowardsitsbed。
Butah，soslowly！Gods！howmysoulwastornasIwatchedandwaited。
YetIkeptmyfaceimpassive，overlookingasanyofficermightapieceofworkwhichotherswerecarryingoutunderhisdirection，andonwhichhiscreditrested;andIstoodgravelyinmyplacetilltheramshadletthestonecomedownonitsfinalrestingplace，andhadbeencarriedawaybytheengineers;andthenIwentroundwiththemasterarchitectwithhisplumblineandlevel，whilsthetestedthislastpieceofthebuildinganddeclareditperfect。
Itwasauselessform，thislast，seeingthatbycalculationtheyknewexactlyhowthestonemustrest;buttheguildshavetheirformsandcustoms，andontheseoccasionsofhighceremonial，theyarepunctiliouslycarriedout，becausethesemiddle—classpeoplewishalwaystoappearmysteriousandimpressivetothepoorvulgarfolkwhoaretheirinferiors。ButperhapsIamhardthereonthem。Amanwhoisneedlesslytakenroundtoplumbanddulylevelthetombwherehisloveliesburiedliving，mayperhapsbeexcusedbytheassessorsonhighalittlespiritofbitterness。