es sent
out by its tremblings. But I did not choose to intercede or ask
mercy for it. If the mammoth sank deeper in the harbour mud, and was
swallowed, I could have borne the loss with equanimity.

To tell the truth, that ride on the great beast's back had impressed me
unfavourably. In fact, it put into me a sense of helplessness that
was wellnigh intolerable. Perhaps circumstances have made me unduly
self-reliant: on that others must judge. But I will own to having a
preference for walking on my own proper feet, as the Gods in fashioning
our shapes most certainly intended. On my own feet I am able to guard my
own head and neck, and have done on four continents, throughout a long
and active life, and on many a thousand occasions. But on the back of
that detestable mammoth, pah! I grew as nervous as a child or a dastard.

However, I had little enough leisure for personal megrims just then.
Whilst we waited, Phorenice asked the port-captain (who must needs come
up officiously to make his salutations) after the disposal of Nais,
and was told that she had been clapped into a dungeon beneath the royal
pyramid, and the officer of the guard there had given his bond for her
safe-keeping.

"It is to be hoped he understands his work," said the Empress. "That
pretty Nais knows the pyramid better than most, and it may be he will
be sent to the tormentors for putting her in a cell which had a secret
outlet. You would feel pleasure if the girl escaped, Deucalion?"

"Assuredly," said I, knowing how useless it would be to make a secret of
the matter. "I have no enmity against Nais."

"But I have," said she viciously, "and I am still minded to lock your
faith to me by that wedding gift you know of."

"The thing shall be done," I said. "Before all, the Empress of
Atlantis."

"Poof! Deucalion, you are too stiff and formal. You ought to be mightily
honoured that I condescend to be jealous of your favours. Your hand,
sir, please, to help me into the litter. And now come in beside me,
and keep me warm against the night air. Ho! you guards there with the
torches! Keep farther back against the street walls. The perfume you are
burning stifles me."

Again there was a feast that night in the royal banqueting-hall; again I
sat beside Phorenice on the raised dais which stands beneath the symbols
of the snake and the out-stretched hand. What had been taken for granted
before about our forthcoming relationship was this time proclaimed
open