Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
13. The Burying Alive Of Nais
Youmakemeblushwithyourfinepleasantries,Deucalion,andthereisnofan-girlhereto-nighttocoolmycheek.Imustchoosemeanotherfan-girl.ButitshallnotbeYlga.YlgaseemstohavemoreofakindnessforyouthanIlike,andifsheiswiseshewillgoliveinherpalaceattheothersideofthecity,andthereoccupyherselfwiththeorderingofherslaves,andthemakingsofembroideries.IshallnotbehardonYlgaunlesssheforcesme,butIwillhavenowomaninthiskingdomtreatyouwithunduecivility.”
“AndhowamItoact,”saidI,fallinginwithhermood,“whenIseeandhearallthemenofAtlantismakingtheirprotestationsbeforeyou?Byyourownconfessiontheyallloveyouasardentlyastheyseemtohavelovedyouhopelessly.”
“Ah,now,”shesaid,“youmustnotaskmetodoimpossibilities.Iampowerfulifyouwill.ButIhavenoforcewhichwillgoverntheheartsofthesepoorfellowsonmatterssuchasthat.Butifyouchoose,youmakeproclamationthatIamgivennowbodyandinwardstoyou,andiftheycontinuetooffendyourprideinthismatter,youmaytakeyourculprits,andgivethemovertothetormentors.Indeed,Deucalion,Ithinkitwouldbeaprettyattentiontomeifyoudidarrangesomesuchceremony.Itseemstomeapresent,”sheaddedwithafrown,“thatthejealousyistoomuchononeside.”
“Youmustnotexpectthatamanwhohasbeendivorcedfromloveforallofabusylifecanlearnallitsnicetiesinaninstant.Myself,Iwasfeelingproudofmyprogress.Withanyotherschoolmistressthanyou,Phorenice,Ishouldnotbenearsoforward.
