Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды

           ”Sheclosedhereyesthen,lyingbackamongstthecushionswhereIhadplacedher,anddroppedoffintohealthysleep,withthesmilesstillplayinguponherlips.Iputthecoverletoverher,andkissedherlightly,holdingbackmybeardlestitshouldsweephercheek.AndthenIwentoutofthechamber.

           Thatbeardhadgrownvastlydisagreeabletometheselasthours,andthenIwentintoaroominthehouse,andfoundinstruments,andshaveditdowntothebarechin.AchangeofrobealsoIfoundthereandtookitinsteadofmysqualidrags.Ifamanisintruthaking,heowesthesethingstothedignityofhisoffice.

           But,ifthedinofthefightingwasanyguide,minewasanarrowingkingdom.Everyhouritseemedtogrowfiercerandmorenear,anditwasclearthatsomeofthegatesinthepassageupthecleftinthecliff,impregnablethoughallmenhadthoughtthem,hadyieldedtothevehemenceofPhorenice’sattack.And,indeed,itwasscarcelytobemarvelledat.Withallhergeniusspurredontofurybytheblowthathadbeenstruckatherbywreckingsofairapartofthecity,theEmpresswouldbenolightadversaryevenforastrongplacetoresist,andtheSacredMountainwasnolongerstrong.

           Defencesofstone,cunninglyplannedandmightilybuilt,itstillpossessed,butthesewillnotfightalone.Theyneedmentolinethem,and,moreover,abundanceofmen.