e this country by the shoulders, and see it in some new
order."

She left the banqueting-hall then, Ylga following; and taking
precedence of my rank, I went out next, whilst all others stood and made
salutation. But I halted by Tarca first, and put my hand on his unclean
flesh. "You are an unfortunate man," I said, "but I can admire a brave
soldier. If relief can be gained for your plague, I will use interest to
procure it for you."

The man's thanks came in a mumble from his wrecked mouth, and some of
those near shuddered in affected disgust. I turned on them with a
black brow: "Your charity, my lords, seems of as small account as
your courage. You affected a fine disbelief of Zaemon's sayings, and
a simpering contempt for his priesthood, but when it comes to laying
a hand on him, you show a discretion which, in the old days, we should
have called by an ugly name. I had rather be Tarca, with all his
uncleanness, than any of you now as you stand."

With which leave-taking I waited coldly till they gave me my due
salutation, and then walked out of the banqueting-hall without offering
a soul another glance. I took my way to the grand gate of the pyramid,
called for the officer of the guard, and demanded exit. The man was
obsequious enough, but he opened with some demur.

"My lord's attendants have not yet come up?"

"I have none."

"My lord knows the state of the streets?"

"I did twenty years back. I shall be able to pick my way."

"My lord must remember that the city is beleaguered," the fellow
persisted. "The people are hungry. They prowl in bands after nightfall,
and--I make no question that my lord would conquer in a fight against
whatever odds, but--"

"Quite right. I covet no street scuffle to-night. Lend me, I pray you,
a sufficiency of men. You will know best what are needed. For me, I am
accustomed to a city with quiet streets."

A score of sturdy fellows were detailed off for my escort, and with them
in a double file on either hand, I marched out from the close perfumed
air of the pyramid into the cool moonlight of the city. It was my
purpose to make a tour of the walls and to find out somewhat of the
disposition of these rebels.

But the Gods saw fit to give me another education first. The city, as I
saw it during that night walk, was no longer the old capital that I had
known, the just accretion of the ages, the due admixture of comfort and
splendour. The splendour was there, vastly increased. W