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