ON.

The day of our marriage and coronation as king and queen of Atvatabar
at length arrived. The scene in the Bormidophia was of surpassing
magnificence. For the first time in history Lyone sat before the
throne of the gods not as goddess, but as queen; and I, her compeer,
as king sat beside her. Lyone was attired in a loosely-fitting robe of
old-ivory silk, over which was an outer network of lace formed of
thread of gold, the design being a golden sun on the breast, which,
with its long streaming rays, was held together by a golden cobweb
that covered the entire figure of the queen. She also wore her belt of
jewels. Beside her stood a page bearing her crown as Queen of
Atvatabar. For myself I had caused to be made a knightly suit of
golden armor that shone mightily as I wore it on that eventful
occasion.

The priestesses of Egyplosis, taught by a priest of decorative art
from Gnaphisthasia, had been for some time engaged in creating a
tapestry of lace, wrought with a thread of heavy bullion gold, as a
bridal gift to their queen. The design took the form of a winged
twin-soul in loving converse, in the centre, surrounded by
Atvatabarese arabesque--all held together by a most poetic fancy of
floral scrolls and formed of gold thread lace work. This enormous
piece of work was twelve feet in width, seventy-five feet in length,
and four inches in thickness. The gold used in its marvellous
intricacies weighed five tons. Such was the glorious piece of tapestry
that was hung over the side of the throne, and which, reaching
downward three-fourths of its height, concealed a considerable part of
the august structure.

Around us swept the amphitheatre, filled with the leaders of the army
and navy, the great officers of government, and the people of
Atvatabar. Surrounding the base of the throne, sat those priests and
priestesses of Egyplosis who had embraced the new faith of "one body
and one soul."

The pontiff Charka performed the marriage ceremony when the roar of
guns had subsided. He performed his august duties sustained by the
splendors of music and the adoration of the people.

"Wilt thou have this woman, Lyone, Queen of Atvatabar, to be thy wife
until death, according to the customs of our people and not according
to the customs of Egyplosis?"

"I will."

"Wilt thou have this man, Lexington, King of Atvatabar, to be thy
husband until death, according to the new faith of 'one body and one
soul?'"

"I will."