One or two, more daring, stretched out their hands to touch the golden frame of the harp as it was carried past them by the youth in crimson,--a pretty fellow enough, who looked extremely haughty, and almost indignant at this effrontery on the part of the fair poet-worshippers, but he made no remonstrance, and merely held his head a little higher and walked with a more consequential air, as he followed his master at a respectful distance. Another long ecstatic shout of "Hail Sah-luma!" arose on all sides, rippling away,--away,--down, as it seemed, to the very furthest edge of echoing resonance,--and then the remainder of the crowd quickly scattered right and left, leaving the spacious embankment almost deserted, save for the presence of several copper-colored, blue- shirted individuals who were commencing the work of taking down and rolling up the silken awnings, accompanying their labors by a sort of monotonous chant that, mingling with the slow, gliding plash of the river, sounded as weird and mournful as the sough of the wind through leafless trees.
Meanwhile Theos, in the company of his new friend, began to express his thanks for the timely rescue he had received,--but Sah-luma waived all such acknowledgments aside.
"Nay, I have only served thee as a crowned Laureate should ever serve a lesser minstrel,"--he said, with that indescribably delicious air of self-flattery which was so whimsical, and yet so winning,--"And I tell thee in all good faith that, for a newly arrived visitor in Al-Kyris, thy first venture was a reckless one! To omit to kneel in the presence of the High Priestess during her Benediction, was a violation of our customs and ceremonies dangerous to life and limb! A religiously excited mob is merciless,--and if I had not chanced upon the scene of action, . ."
"I should have been no longer the man I am!" smiled Theos, looking down on his companion's light, lithe, elegant form as it moved gracefully by his side--"But that I failed in homage to the High Priestess was a most unintentional lack of wit on my part,--for if THAT was the High Priestess,--that dazzling wonder of beauty who lately passed in a glittering ship, on her triumphant way down the river, like a priceless pearl in a cup of gold..."
"Aye, aye!" and Sah-luma's dark brows contracted in a slight frown--"Not so many fine words, I pray thee! Thou couldst not well mistake her,--there is only one Lysia!"
"Lysia!" murmured Theos dreamily, and the musical name slid off his lips with a soft, sibilant sound,--"Lysia! And I forgot to kneel to that enchanting, that adorable being! Oh unwise, benighted fool!--where were my thoughts? Next time I see her I will atone! .--no matter what creed she represents,--I will kiss the dust at her feet, and so make reparation for my sin!"