"Thy logic is good," observed Monella with bitter emphasis, "for thy present purpose; but it faileth to explain how it came about that, instead of making known your sentiment in a petition and awaiting the king's friendly explanation, as befitted faithful subjects, ye supported Coryon in his treasonable acts--in kidnapping the king's daughter and his friends. Further, ye were all proceeding, at Coryon's mere suggestion, to put to death this stranger, without giving him either time or opportunity to afford the information ye now profess yourself so anxious to obtain. However, thou shalt have thy question answered--and, that done, let me warn thee that I am in no mood to suffer further trifling. King Dranoa's good-natured weakness, and my own misplaced leniency, have already wrought too much misunderstanding. Ask thy question of the lord Colenna, the king's High Chamberlain." Then Colenna stepped forward, and, in a loud, sonorous voice, that resounded throughout the vast amphitheatre, cried out, "Know ye all, by the command of King Dranoa and the unanimous assent of his ministers, that the great lord Mellenda, who hath been hitherto known amongst us as Monella--which in ancient times had the same signification as the word Mellenda--hath made himself known to his people, and hath assumed the office of ruler of the countries of Manoa and Myrlanda." At this extraordinary announcement Coryon moved back into the covered-way with unsteady and almost tottering steps; while Monella rose and, with another wave of the hand, signalled for silence. Turning to Sanaima, he asked, with quiet dignity, but in a ringing voice that all could hear, "And thou, august head of our religion, faithful through so many years of persecution and despair, who dost _thou_ say I am?" Then Sanaima raised his hands to heaven as though to invoke a blessing, and said, solemnly, "In the name of the Great Spirit whom I serve, I recognise and welcome thee, my lord Mellenda!" But still Monella waved his hand for silence; and, raising his voice, he cried, "Come forth, Black Coryon! I command thee! Come forth!" And Coryon came forward, and stood before him; but he durst not meet his eyes. Monella slowly raised his arm and straightened it, pointing his finger at his enemy. "And who, foul Coryon, who dost _thou_ say I am?" For the space of a few seconds Coryon looked his questioner in the face. There was a brief struggle to hold his own and to repel with proud defiance the glance Monella turned on him; then, bowing his head, he murmured humbly, "Thou art my lord Mellenda!" Then a great shout went up. Again, and again, and yet again it was repeated. "Mellenda! Mellenda! Mellenda!" It rang out from far and near. It was taken up by a crowd of women and children without the gates, and thence it travelled back and echoed from one side of the rocky amphitheatre to the other.