and fiercely from the clear blue sky above our heads. The din of
the rebels' attack upon the walls came to us clearly, even above
the gabble of the multitude, but no one gave attention to it.
Excitement about what was to befall in the circle mastered every
other emotion.

I learned afterways that so pressing was the rebels' attack,
and so destructive the battering of their new war engines, that
Phorenice had gone off to the walls first to lend awhile her
brilliant skill for its repulse, and to put heart into the
defenders. But as it was, the day had burned out to its middle and
scorched us intolerably, before the noise of the drums and horns
gave advertisement that the pageant had formed in procession; and
of those who waited in the crowd, many had fainted with exhaustion
and the heat, and not a few had died. But life was cheap in the
city of Atlantis now, and no one heeded the fallen.

Nearer and nearer drew the drums and the braying of the other
music, and presently the head of a glittering procession began to
arrive and dispose itself in the space which had been set apart.
Many a thousand poor starving wretches sighed when they saw the
wanton splendour of it. But these lords and these courtiers of
this new Atlantis had no concern beyond their own bellies and their
own backs, except for their one alien regard--their simpering
affection for Phorenice.

I think, though, their loyalty for the Empress was real
enough, and it was not to be wondered at, since everything they had
came from her lavish hands. Indeed, the woman had a charm that
cannot be denied, for when she appeared, riding in the golden