“I will tell thee what I should like to do,” cried Ildiko. “I should like to talk about love. I intend to marry within a year.” “O—h, dost thou?” they all exclaimed, in a breath. “Hast thou decreed who shall be party to this resolve?” “Yes—and no. In Atlantis, the parents often select a husband or wife for their children. But one is not compelled to accept their choice,” she answered. “Has a selection been made for thee?” queried Alcyesta. “Yes. My father and Rahula have partly agreed that I am to marry Alcamayn.” “Oh! Ho!” was all that could be distinguished, as the wooden plates were quickly set aside, and a general readjustment of cushions closed in around Ildiko. “I am not sure that I am pleased,” that young lady went on to say. “I would rather select my husband myself.” “No one of our tribe can do that, except our high-priestess,” rejoined Alcyesta. “Does thy religion allow thy priestess such liberty?” “Truly not. Our priestesses may marry if someone asks them, but they cannot help themselves. Oh, that I were a Monbas high-priestess!” “What wouldst thou do?” asked Kerœcia, with a smile, while Alcyesta did not seem to breathe. “I would propose to thy Chancellor, Ben Hu Barabe,” she averred. “Ben Hu Barabe is already betrothed,” replied Kerœcia. “He will espouse my beloved Alcyesta, when we return home.” “How fortunate thou art!” said Ildiko to Alcyesta, but slightly abashed. “I can always marry Alcamayn. I should be puzzled to know what to do in thy case,” she continued, addressing Kerœcia. “I fail to see why,” answered the priestess. “There is more than one among the Azes and Atlantians who would speak if he dared.” Kerœcia blushed and looked confused. Alcyesta and Mineola asked in a breath: “Who are they?” “Use thine eyes and find out,” replied Ildiko. “We have only one marking of the sun-dial for beauty sleep. Then we must array ourselves becomingly for the sake of Orondo, Alcamayn, Hanabusa and Ben Hu Barabe who arrive at the dinner hour.” The high-priestess had arisen in the meantime. “Not a wink of sleep to put a little rose in thy cheeks and add diamond sparkles to thine eyes?” chattered Ildiko. “Not this time,” declared Kerœcia. “I must away at once as I have promised early audience to one of our friends.” “May the assurances he brings thee be good and comforting,” murmured Ildiko, already half-asleep. “May the Lord of the Lapse of Time enfold thee completely,” answered Kerœcia, with a careless nod, as she passed out of the chamber. Orondo usually stood with his right foot forward, as if on guard, his broad, powerful shoulders thrown back, and his chest well out. In civilian’s dress, he wore an agate-headed serpent of scarlet leather around his head. On his neck was a gorget of leather set with gold bosses, from which hung a long, black cloak, bordered with fur. He had on a short apron-like skirt of leather, with a triple row of gold bosses around the bottom, and edged with a heavy leather fringe.