Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды

           Youatleastwillnotloseyourheadthroughweakinfatuationformypoorlooksandgraces.”—Sheturnedtothegirlwhostoodbehindus.—“Ylga,fannotsoviolently.”

           Ourtalkbrokeoffthenforthemoment,andIhadtimetolookaboutme.Wewerepassingthroughthechiefstreetinthefairest,themostwonderfulcitythisworldhaseverseen.Ihadleftitascoreofyearsbefore,andwascurioustonoteitsincrease.

           Inpublicbuildingsthecityhadcertainlymadegrowth;therewerenewtemples,newpyramids,newpalaces,andstatuaryeverywhere.Itsgreatnessandmagnificenceimpressedmemorestronglyeventhanusual,returningtoitasIdidfromsuchadistanceoftimeandspace,for,thoughthemanycitiesofYucatanmighteachofthembeprincely,thisgreatcapitalwasaplacenottobecomparedwithanyofthem.Itwasimperialandgorgeousbeyonddescriptivewords.

           YetmostofallwasIstruckbythepovertyandsqualorwhichstoodinsuchclosetouchwithallthismagnificence.Inthethrongsthatlinedthestreetsthereweregauntbodiesandhungryfaceseverywhere.Hereandtherestoodone,amanorawoman,asnakedasasavageinEurope,andyetdulltoshame.Eventhetrader,withtrumperygaudsonhiscoat,apingtheprevailingfashionfordisplay,hadascared,uneasylooktohisface,asthoughhehadforgottenthemerenameofsafety,andhidafranticheartwithhistawdryoutwardvauntingsofprosperity.

           Phorenicereadthedirectionofmylooks.

           “Theseason,”shesaid,“hasbeenunhealthyofrecentmonths.