single vessel, I will fight the entire fleet of
Atvatabar. One shell of terrorite has more power than a thousand of
their guns. I will destroy Kioram, if need be, to bring the king to
submission."

Before leaving Lyone, I drew up a plan of campaign for the coming
struggle. Hushnoly, the high priest, although conservative as regards
the affairs of the priesthood, was really a trusty friend of the
goddess, and would assist the grand sorcerer in commanding a wing of
the sacred army.

The liberated priests and priestesses would fight like lions for the
cause for which they had been imprisoned. The palace of Gnaphisthasia
would also furnish its battalions, led by Yermoul, lord of art. Then,
among the fifty millions of people there were perhaps twenty millions
in favor of reform, who would contribute a large army in support of
Lyone.

"It is by no means certain that a civil war will take place, even to
secure the proposed reform," said Lyone. "The people may leave it to
the Borodemy and the law to settle the matter."

"And what would be the result in such a case?" I inquired.

"Well, if I persisted in my demands, and no insurrection took place,"
said Lyone, "the king might put me to death as the simplest way of
ending the matter, and appoint another goddess in Egyplosis."

"They will never hurt a hair of your head while I live: I swear it!"
said I, with considerable emphasis.

Lyone smiled at my enthusiasm, and refused to permit me to linger
longer with her. We understood each other perfectly. I saw that when
Lyone had once made up her mind on a certain course, there could be no
retreat. She cared not any longer for a dead throne, for even the
worship of the multitude could not feed her famished heart. She must
have a beloved soul, consecrated to herself alone, between whom would
vibrate the music of great thoughts and tender emotions.

Lyone had declared war upon hopeless love. This was a necessary
consequence of her altered position. Egyplosis, founded on a brilliant
theory, had in practice become a prison, and she must open the doors
to let its prisoners free.

Just as I was leaving the palace I received a message from Hushnoly
stating that the king had secretly ordered my arrest, and to be
circumspect if I wished to reach Kioram free.

Attended by a guard of bockhockids faithful to Lyone I set out for
Kioram, taking a circuitous road to avoid Calnogor. I had been
informed by Hushnoly that mobs of excited and