“We will! We will!”
She turned to Rica, and said:
“Order a chair.”
This Rica proceeded to do of an attendant, as Atlano, in a rage, vociferated:
“Nay!”
Queen Atlana again spoke to Rica: “I will have the chair.” Then to Atlano, she said low, and with emphasis: “If I am not obeyed, I go not back to the palace.”
They eyed each other as no man and wife should. Hard is it when a wife is obliged, in presence of others, to assert herself. Terrible is it to perceive a husband’s face take on an expression murderous! The people again clamored their indignation until Atlana herself quieted them by the eloquence of her hands. Though there continued cries here and there for the chair.
King Atlano had turned aside in sullen discomfiture, when the queen again spoke the word for the chair. And now it was brought beside her, and eagerly, if it must be told.
The attendants were thronging to lift Æole therein when Sensel pressed in among them, to urge:
“It is mine to lift her, to bear her.”