And the next moment, accompanied by Xanocles, I was passing through the outer galleries. The last glimpse I caught of the High Adviser showed me the great head wearily sagging, the lids drooping over the melancholy gray eyes as if in utmost renunciation or despair. * * * * * From the Adviser’s office I hastened straight home, leaving Xanocles, after being assured that he would come to me early in the morning. I found Aelios impatiently awaiting my return. “You have been long,” she murmured, although it seemed to me that I had come back very quickly. And the big, blue eyes looked up at me inquiringly, and I had to explain at once the meaning of the Adviser’s summons. She followed my recital without a word; but heavy furrows began to appear upon her brow when I told her how serious was the plight of Atlantis; and a big limpid teardrop flowed unheeded down her cheek. “You did right to accept the commission,” she said, coming to me when I had finished my story, and resting one hand affectionately upon my shoulder. And a deep melancholy made moist her eyes as she continued, “I am glad that the choice has fallen upon you. When do we start on our voyage?” “We?” I repeated, staring at her in surprise. “Yes, we. I intend to go with you, of course.” “But, Aelios, that’s impossible!” I exclaimed, springing up and drawing her closely to me. “You know how much I’d like to have you with me. But you don’t seem to realize the peril.” “Peril?” She laughed disdainfully, as she withdrew from me. “Do you think I’d have you submit to a peril I wouldn’t share in? Besides, is it not in the interest of my own country? Should I stay here doing nothing when I might help to save Atlantis?” “But, even so, would you be permitted--” I started to protest. “Of course I’d be permitted! The High Chief Adviser would be more than willing--only, of course, he wouldn’t ask me to take the risk.” “And neither would I ask you--” I objected; but she cut me short by demanding, sharply, “Do you think it’s any greater than the risk of staying here?” And, with the air of one whose mind is made up and is not to be questioned, she reminded me, “We better be getting ready, for I don’t suppose we’ll have any time to waste.”