Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
6. The Biters Of The City Walls
Butthefan-girlledthewaywiththelampswinginginherhand,asoneaccustomedtothemazes.Hereshedoubled,theresheturned,andhereshestoppedinthemiddleofablankwalltopushastone,whichswungtoletuspass.Andonceshepressedatthecornerofaflagstoneonthefloor,whichreareduptothethrustofherfoot,andshowedusastairsteepandnarrow.Thatwedescended,comingtothefootofaninclinedwaywhichledusupwardagain;andsobydegreeswecameuntothechamberwhichhadbeengivenformyuse.
“Thereisraimentinallthesechestswhichstandbythewalls,”saidthegirl,“andjewelsandgaudsinthatbronzecoffer.TheyarePhorenice’sfirstpresents,shebidmesay,andbutasmallearnestofwhatistocome.MyLordDeucalioncandrophissimplicitynow,andfighimselfoutinfinerytosuitthefashion.”
“Girl,”Isaidsharply,“bemoredecorouswithyourtongue,andsparemesuchsmalladvice.”
“IfmyLordDeucalionthinksthisarudeness,hecangiveawordtoPhorenice,andIshallbewhipped.Ifheasksit,Icanbestrippedandscourgedbeforehim.TheEmpresswilldomuchforDeucalionjustnow.”
“Girl,”Isaid,“youarenearertothatwhippingthanyouthinkfor.”
“Ihavegotaname,”sheretorted,lookingatmesullenlyfromunderherblackbrows.“TheycallmeYlga.Youmighthaveheardthataswerodehereonthemammoth,hadyounotbeensowrappedupinPhorenice.”
Igazedathercuriously.“Youhaveneverseenmebefore,”Isaid,“andthefirstwordsyouutterarethosethatmightwellbringtroubletoyourself.
