It was not without a sinking heart that Yermah had given up his old habits of life. It cost him many pangs to abandon his quarters; and for days he had that houseless, homeless feeling inseparable from removal to new surroundings. Orondo pleaded long and earnestly that he would still reside at Iaqua. The Dorado steadily refused. He would content himself with the unpretentious quarters of Akaza in the Temple of Neptune. With his own hands, he took an inventory of all things pertaining to his office, the jewels, the horses, trappings and chariots. He removed nothing except his personal effects, and, as a wedding present, he gave Orondo his last state mantle—the one he had worn on Kerœcia’s birthday. Orondo still had the garment on his shoulders, and would wear it in the Hall of Embassadors, when he solemnly pledged his life and sacred honor to the service of the Azes. Later in the day, there was feasting and rejoicing in all the community houses, the institutions and barracks, as well as in the homes. Enthroned under a canopy of scarlet, Ildiko sat out the afternoon, surrounded by her family and friends. It was her formal leave-taking of girlhood days, and her eyes filled with tears as she slowly passed from one room to another. She yielded to a fit of weeping when she reached the door of her own room, and saw that in her absence it had been denuded of all her possessions. “Oh, my father!” she cried, “is it possible that thou wilt turn me out of thy heart as well as out of thy house?” She threw herself across the foot of her bed, and sobbed convulsively. Rahula brought her father, and by a sign motioned the others to leave them. Setos gave her a grateful look as she closed the door, but it was a long time before he could speak. He sat motionless and helpless until Ildiko could get command of her overwrought nerves, and then he soothed and quieted her as best he could. Rahula returned presently with a sleeping potion, but the bride refused to drink it. “Let me remember every hour of this day,” she pleaded, and so had her way. As the sun went down the bride arose, and performed anew her ablutions, and prayed with fervor and abandon. Then she arrayed herself in scarlet, and wound herself up in the voluminous red veil with as much skill and ingenuity as possible, so that her husband might find it difficult to see her face, since it was his task to unwind it, as soon as she crossed the threshold of Iaqua. With the appearance of the evening star, came the state chariot drawn by four spirited bays, ready to carry her to her new home. The whole city seemed to be alive with torches and lanterns, which rivaled the brilliant illumination overhead, as Ildiko, accompanied by Yermah and her father, stepped into the vehicle.