Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
12. The Drug Of Our Lady The Moon
AtthehouseintowhichIwasusheredtheygavemeabath,andIeasedmyhostoftheplainestgarmentinhisstore,andhewaspleasedenoughatgettingoffsocheaply.ButIhadanhourtospendoutsideonthepavementlisteningtothedistantdinofbombardmentbeforePhorenicecameouttomeagain,andIcouldnothelpfeelingsomegrimamusementatthefaceofthemerchantwhofollowed.Thefellowwasclearlyruined.Hehadastoreofjewelsandgaudsofthemostcostlykind,whichwereonlyinfractionhisown,seeingthathehadboughtthem(asthecustomis)inpartnershipwithothermerchants.ThesehadpleasedPhorenice’seye,andsoshehadtakenallanddisposedthemonherperson.
“Aretheynotpretty?”saidshe,showingthemtome.“Seehowtheyflashunderthesun.Iamquitegladnow,Deucalion,thatthemammothgaveusthatfuriousrideandthatspill,sinceithasbroughtmesuchabonnypresent.Youmaytellthefellowherethatsomedaywhenhehasearnedsomemore,Iwillcomeandbehisguestagain.Ah!Theyhavebroughtuslitters,Isee.Well,sendoneawayanddoyoushareminewithme,sir.Wemustplayatbeingloversto-day,evenifloveisamatterwhichwillcometousbothwithmorecertaintyto-morrow.No;donotordermorebearers.Myownslaveswillcarryushandilyenough.Iamgladyouarenotoneofyourgross,overfedmen,Deucalion.Iamsmallandslimmyself,andIdonotwanttobehusbandedbyamanwhowillovershadowme.”
“Backtotheroyalpyramid?”Iasked.
“No,nortothewalls.IneitherwishtofightnortositasEmpressto-day,sir.
