entire
facts of the situation, and then act as she commands. If she asks us
to lay down our arms and surrender ourselves as the price of her
liberty, there is none, I think, who would be so faithless as to
refuse."

"And I," said the grand sorceress, "approve of your proposal. I am
willing to surrender myself to save the life of the late goddess."

"We are all willing to sacrifice ourselves if need be!" shouted the
entire council with generous and chivalrous enthusiasm.

"I will go," said I, "and see Lyone, as you propose, and upon her
decision will depend our future action."

A courier was immediately despatched under a flag of truce to the
palace at Calnogor, with the message that before his majesty's
communication could be replied to, the commander-in-chief of the army
of the late goddess desired to have an interview with her majesty, to
decide upon a final answer thereto, and to request a royal passport
not only admitting him to the presence of Lyone in the fortress at
Calnogor, but also permitting his safe return to Kioram.

"I fear," said Hushnoly, "the queen herself may be so confident in the
success of her cause that she will overlook any danger to herself. It
would be a signal success to save her without our own surrender, but
that is impossible until we defeat the royal army."

"What say you, grand sorcerer?" said I. "Do you think my mission will
be successful as regards the life of Lyone?"

"I have already foreseen this crisis," said he; "but I believe the end
will be triumphant."

His majesty, in reply to my despatch, sent me a royal passport that
admitted me to the fortress to converse with Lyone, and which would
protect me until my return to Kioram.

"Tell her majesty," said the grand sorcerer, "not to fear the king;
that we will save her, even should she nobly disdain to accept our
surrender for her life."

"How do you propose to save her life in case she forfeits it?" I
eagerly inquired.

"I cannot tell you," he replied, "for occult knowledge can only be
apprehended by the initiated. Every great reform requires its martyr,
and it may be that the queen will be our martyr, no matter what we
do."

An audible groan escaped from the lips of all. Was it possible that
even should we surrender we could not save the life of our adorable
leader, and that to surrender would involve all in a common ruin? Was
there ever in human history so great a crisis? I began to doubt the
sorcerer's knowledge of