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