Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди

           AndsoIwasfreetoturnwheremylikingswouldhaveledmefirst,andthatwastothehousewhichshelteredNais.

           ShewakedasIcameinoverthethreshold,andhereyesfilledwithawelcomeforme.Iwentacrossandkneltwhereshelay,puttingmyfaceonthepillowbesideher.Shewasfulloftendertalkandsweetendearments.Gods!WhataninfinityofdelightIhadmissedbynotknowingmyNaisearlier!Butshehadawillofherownthroughitall,andsomequaintconceitswhichmadeherallthemoreadorable.Sheralliedmeonthenewcleannessofmychin,andontherobewhichIhadtakenasacovering.Sheprofessedaprettyaweformykingship,andvowedthathadsheknownofmycomingdignitiesshewouldneverhavedaredtodiscoveraloveforme.ButaboutmymarriagewithPhoreniceshespokewithlesslightness.Sheputoutherthinwhitehand,anddrewmyfacetoherlips.

           “Itisweakofmetohaveajealousy,”shemurmured,“knowinghowcompletelymylordisminealone;butIcannothelpit.Youhavesaidyouwereherhusbandforawhile.ItgivesmeapangtothinkthatIshallnotbethefirsttolieinyourarms,Deucalion.”

           “Thenyoumaygailythrowyourpangaway,”Iwhisperedback.“IwashusbandtoPhoreniceinmerewordforhowlongIdonotpreciselyknow.Butinanythingbeyond,Iwasneverherhusbandatall.Shemarriedmebyaformsheprescribedherself,ignoringalltheoldritesandceremonies,andwhetheritwouldholdaslegalornot,weneednottroubletoinquire.SheherselfhasmostnicelyandcompletelyannulledthatmarriageasIhavetoldyou.