Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
13. The Burying Alive Of Nais
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“Weareattheplacenow,”saidshe,withahardlittlelaugh,“andifyoukneelonthefloor,youwillfindanairshaft,andNaiswillansweryoufromthelowerend.Formyself,Iwillleaveyou.Ihaveadelicacyinhearingwhatyouwanttosaytomysister,Deucalion.”
“Ithankyou,”Isaid.“Iwillnotforgetwhatyouhavedoneformethisnight.”
“Youmaykeepyourthanks,”shesaidbitterly,andwalkedawayintotheshadows.
Ikneltonthefloorofthegallery,andfoundtheairpassagewithmyhand,andthen,puttingmylipstoit,whisperedforNais.
Theanswercameontheinstant,muffledandquiet.“Iknewmylordwouldcomeforafarewell.”
“WhattheEmpresssaid,hastobe.Youunderstand,mydear?ItisforAtlantis.”
“HaveIreproachedmylord,bywordorglance?”
“Imyselfambiddentoplaceyouinthehollowbetweenthestones,andImustdoit.”
“Thenmylastsleepwillbeasweetone.Icouldnotasktobetouchedbypleasanterhands.”
“ButitmayhapthatadaywillcomewhenshewhomyouknowofwillbesufferedbytheHighGodstoliveonthislandofAtlantisnolonger.”
“Ifmylordwillcherishmypoormemorywhenheisfreeagain,Ishallbegrateful.Hemight,ifhechose,writethemonthestones:HerewasburiedamaidwhodiedgladlyforthegoodofAtlantis,eventhoughsheknewthatthemanshesodearlylovedwashusbandtohermurderess.”
“Youmustnotdie,”Iwhispered.“Mybreastisnearbrokenattheverythoughtofit.
