2. Back To Atlantis

           Thepublicofficialreceptionwasover.Thesentencehadbeenread,thenameofPhorenice,theEmpress,adored,andthenewViceroyinstalledwithallthatvastandponderousceremonialwhichhadgaineditspompandmajestyfromtheages.Formally,Ihaddeliveredupthereinsofmygovernment;formally,Tathohadseatedhimselfonthesnake-throne,andhadputoverhisneckthechainofgemswhichsymbolisedthesupremeoffice;andthen,whilstthedrumsandthetrumpetsmadetheirproclamationofclamour,hehadrisentohisfeet,forhisfirststateprogressroundthatgildedcouncilchamberasViceroyoftheProvinceofYucatan.

           Withfoldedarmsandbendedhead,Ifollowedhimbetweentheglitteringlinesofsoldiers,andthebrilliantthrongofcourtiers,andchiefs,andstatesmen.Theroof-beamsquiveredtothecriesof“LongLiveTatho!”“FlourishtheEmpress!”whichcameforthasindutybound,andthenewruleracknowledgedthewelcomewithstatelyinclinationsofthehead.Inturnhewenttothethreelesserthronesofthelessergovernors—intheEast,theNorth,andtheSouth,andreceivedhomagefromeachastheritualwas;andI,themanwhomhiscominghaddeposed,followedwiththeprescribedmeeknessinhistrain.

           Itwasahardtask,butwewhoholdthehigherofficeslearntocarrybeforethepeopleapassionlessface.Once,twentyyearsbefore,thesesamefineobeisanceshadbeenmadetome;nowtheGodshadseenfittomakefortunechange.