Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
10. A Wooing
Indeed,thewomanhadacharmthatcannotbedenied,forwhensheappeared,ridinginthegoldencastle(whereIalsohadridden)onthebackofhermonstrousshaggymammoth,thestarvedsullenfacesofthecrowdbrightenedasthoughamealandsuddenprosperityhadbeenbestoweduponthem;andwithoutawordofcommand,withoutatraceofcompulsion,theyburstintospontaneousshoutsofwelcome.
Sheacknowledgeditwithasmileofthanks.Hercheekswerealittleflushed,hermovementsquick,hermannerhigh-strung,asallwellmightbe,seeingthehorriblesacrilegeshehadinmind.Butshewasundeniablylovely;yes,moreadorablybeautifulthaneverwithherpresentthrillofexcitement;andwhenthestairwasbrought,andshewalkeddownfromthemammoth’sbacktotheground,thosenearfelltotheirkneesandgaveherworship,outofsheerfascinationforherbeautyandcharm.
Ylga,thefan-girl,aloneofallthatvastmultituderoundtheSuntemplecontainedherselfwithherformalpacesandduties.Shelookedpainedandtroubled.Itwasplaintosee,evenfromthedistancewhereIstood,thatshecarriedaheavyheartunderthejewelsofherrobe.Itwasfitting,too,thatthisshouldbeso.ThoughshehadbeenlongenoughdivorcedfromhiscareandfosteredbytheEmpress,YlgawasadaughterofZaemon,andhewasthechiefestofourLordtheSun’sministershereonearth.ShecouldnotforgetherupbringingnowatthissuprememomentwhenthehighestoftheoldGodswastobeformallydefied.Andperhapsalso(havingakindnessforPhorenice)shewasnotalittledreadfuloftheconsequences.
