They waited, mute, until she should again look at them. When she did, new light, new life was in her face. Here before her were these motionless ones, statues of sweet solicitude. In answering their gaze, she thought only of them, for the moment. Thus joyous was her tone. “Sir Deucalion, thou wert right. Much is there yet to live for. My life cannot be void, barren. It hath its bright, its fertile spots. I see them. They cheer me.”
She held out her hand to him. On his knees, he kissed it, the others, thereupon, emulating him: then, at his sign, the young people turned to withdraw with him. And Atlana and Pyrrha were left together.
Not many days after, Queen Atlana was able to show herself to her Atlanteans, the while allowing the delighted Azu to bear her train. Rapturously was she greeted, so that she wept for joy. In these tears had gladness no place. For, gladness comes of the body, joy of the spirit. The queen’s spirit was moved to its depths, for ever, as now, had the Atlanteans shown her love and fealty. Never had they been lacking. Always might she be sure of them.
Well did Deucalion speak her words. Her Atlanteans with her were to weep no more, with her were to hope, with her were to begin a new life in the country of their refuge, Pelasgia.
To which were returned assurances the most comforting. For, like herself, her subjects were trying to look upon the side least dark. Thus they declared their homage: that they would rally about her with no fear and all zeal, and make a new Atlantis for her and themselves.
She, standing stately, signified her satisfaction. And, thereafter, retired to weep her last, and find the beginning of peace.
CHAPTER XX.
HAPPY PAIRS.
Meanwhile, the young people had been reveling in their happiness, and this bright, smooth sailing over the Middle Sea. The hours were winged. As well were they winged to Pelop and Peloppa, whose eyes found constant entertainment, whose tongues, continual employment. Even Pyrrha and Deucalion were as fruitful a source of interest as the young lovers. Thus, Pelop and Peloppa were ever finding means to get upon their vessel that they might watch the tender emotions so prevalent.
One soft, breezeless, starlit evening, the friends met together on Pyrrha’s vessel. Of course, conversation was not long in reaching its accustomed height; when, in the midst of the noise, Hellen, who had been standing at the stern, came beside Electra.
“Electra, it is the night for a ride. Let us get in the boat. It tempteth as it followeth in such ease.”