19. Destruction Of Atlantis

           ItwasNaisherselfwhosentmetoattendtomysternerduties.ThedinoftheattackcametousinthehousewhereIwastendingher,andsheaskeditsmeaning.Aspithilyasmightbe,forshewasinnoconditionfortediouslistening,Igaveherthehistoryofhernineyears’sleep.

           Thecolourflushedmoretoherface.“MylordistheproperestmaninalltheworldtobeKing,”shewhispered.

           “IrefusedtotouchthetradetilltheyhadgivenmetheQueenIdesired,safeandalive,hereupontheMountain.”

           “Howwepoorwomenaremadethechattelsofyoumen!But,formyself,Iseemtolikethetrafficwellenough.YoushouldnothaveletmestandinthewayofAtlantis’good,Deucalion.Still,itisverysweettoknowyouwereweakthereforonce,andthatIwasthecauseofyourweakness.Whatisthatbathoveryonder?Ah!Iremember;mywitsseemnoneoftheclearestjustnow.”

           “Youhavemadethebeginning.Yourstrengthwillreturntoyoubyquickdegrees.Butitwillnotbearhurrying.Youmusthaveapatience.”

           “Yourear,sir,foronemoment,andthenIwillrestinpeace.Mypoorlooks,aretheyallgone?Youseemtohavenomirrorhere.IhadvisionsthatIshouldwakeupwrinkledandold.”

           “Youareasyouwere,dear,thatfirstnightIsawyou—themostbeautifulwomaninalltheworld.”

           “Iampleasedyoulikeme,”shesaid,andtookthecupofbrothIofferedher.“Myhairseemstohavegrown;butitneedscombingsadly.Ihadafancy,dear,once,thatyoulikedruddyhairbest,andnotaplainbrown.