Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды

           Theywereperfectlyinearnestinofferingmetheswords,andIrecognisedthatthiswasadifferentAtlantisthatIhadcomehometo,whereamanhaddreadofthetortureforameredifferenceconcerningthecutofacoat.

           Therewasabathinthepavilion,andinthatIregaledmyselfgladly,thoughtherewassomepaltryscentaddedtothewaterthattookawayhalfitsrefreshingpower;andthenIsetmyselftowaitwithalloutwardcomposureandplacidity.Thechamberlainsweretoowell-bredtobreakintomycalm,andIdidnotcondescendtosmalltalk.Sothereweremained,thefourofus,Isitting,theystanding,withourLordtheSunsmitingheavilyonthescarletroofofthepavilion,whilstthemusicblared,andthewelcomingfiresdispersedtheirodoursfromthegreatpavedsquarewithout,whichfaceduponthequay.

           Ithasbeensaidthatthegreatshouldalwayscollectdignitybykeepingthoseoflesserdegreewaitingtheirpleasure,thoughformyselfImustsayIhavealwaysthoughtthestratagempaltryandbeneathme.Phorenicealsoseemedofthisopinion,for(assheherselftoldmelater)atthemomentthatTob’sgalleywasreportedashavingitsflankagainstthemarbleoftheroyalquay,atthatprecisemomentdidshestartoutfromthepalace.Thegorgeousprocessionwasalreadymarshalled,bedecked,andwaitingonlyforitschiefestornament,andassoonasshehadmountedtohersteed,trumpetsgavetheorder,andtheadvancebegan.

           Sittinginthedoorwayofthepavilion,Isawthesoldierywhoformedtheheadofthisvastconcourseemergefromthegreatbroadstreetwhereitleftthehouses.