“Thou hast mistaken me. I am only an instrument in the hands of Providence for the deliverance of Tlamco,” answered Setos, in his best temple-service manner. “Thou art incapable of delivering thyself, much less Tlamco. But I desire thee to become Grand Servitor. Art thou willing to accept its full import?” Setos could scarcely believe his ears. Was the Dorado speaking from choice, or was he sore beset, and capitulating on the best possible terms? “What dost thou mean by the full import?” “The law dost require thee to marry. Thou mayst not demand the oath of allegiance without a consort. Atlantis no longer exists and thou must be responsible for the succession.” Setos opened his eyes wide in astonishment when the real nature of the situation dawned upon him and he realized that fear had nothing to do with Yermah’s abdication. As soon as he could recover himself, he answered: “I am willing to fulfill thy conditions.” “Not my conditions, but the law of the ages,” corrected the Dorado, with a frown. “Rahula has long been thy willing handmaid. Wilt thou espouse her?” “Yes.” “And to-night?” “Yes; but canst thou say as much for her?” “She shall answer for herself, as she is already under this roof. And while the tamanes conduct her here, wilt thou tell me, Imos, why thou, too, art in bloody array against me?” Encouraged by Setos’s success, Imos answered boldly: “Because thou art a lost soul, and art unworthy to succeed Akaza.” “For his sake must I endure persecution. But thou art rash in attempting to defy the Brotherhood. Thou art enslaved by forbidden ambition.” Yermah’s voice quivered with suppressed anger, and his eyes blazed scornfully, but he kept himself under control. Catching Rahula’s eye as she entered, he said with cutting emphasis: “Every soul is lost on the downward spiral, and can only regain its original position by a long and painful succession of incarnations. Desire is the prison-house of the ego.” Rahula stood abashed, uncertain how much Yermah knew, and just what his speech implied. An uncomfortable and awkward silence followed, which Setos finally broke by stepping forward and taking her by the hand. Then he asked with gentleness: “Art thou willing to share the perils of office with me? Yermah wishes to make me Servitor of the Azes.” “My heart acknowledges no other master, and my happiness is indissolubly linked with thy fortunes. I am willing to serve thee.” She spoke in a low voice, while a flush of triumph overspread her countenance. She was almost as much surprised as Setos had been. “Name thy witnesses, and let Imos hear thy marriage vows at once. Matters of state compel haste.” All three hated him, but they obeyed with alacrity, nevertheless. “I will administer the oath of office at sunrise, and at meridian thou must be ready to receive the allegiance of Tlamco,” said Yermah later, before leaving for the Temple of Neptune. He had not lived at Iaqua since Orondo’s death.