Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
13. The Burying Alive Of Nais
Whilstwewaited,Phoreniceaskedtheport-captain(whomustneedscomeupofficiouslytomakehissalutations)afterthedisposalofNais,andwastoldthatshehadbeenclappedintoadungeonbeneaththeroyalpyramid,andtheofficeroftheguardtherehadgivenhisbondforhersafe-keeping.
“Itistobehopedheunderstandshiswork,”saidtheEmpress.“ThatprettyNaisknowsthepyramidbetterthanmost,anditmaybehewillbesenttothetormentorsforputtingherinacellwhichhadasecretoutlet.Youwouldfeelpleasureifthegirlescaped,Deucalion?”
“Assuredly,”saidI,knowinghowuselessitwouldbetomakeasecretofthematter.“IhavenoenmityagainstNais.”
“ButIhave,”saidsheviciously,“andIamstillmindedtolockyourfaithtomebythatweddinggiftyouknowof.”
“Thethingshallbedone,”Isaid.“Beforeall,theEmpressofAtlantis.”
“Poof!Deucalion,youaretoostiffandformal.YououghttobemightilyhonouredthatIcondescendtobejealousofyourfavours.Yourhand,sir,please,tohelpmeintothelitter.Andnowcomeinbesideme,andkeepmewarmagainstthenightair.Ho!youguardstherewiththetorches!Keepfartherbackagainstthestreetwalls.Theperfumeyouareburningstiflesme.”
Againtherewasafeastthatnightintheroyalbanqueting-hall;againIsatbesidePhoreniceontheraiseddaiswhichstandsbeneaththesymbolsofthesnakeandtheout-stretchedhand.
