“While thou art here? Hast thy stay a limit?”
“I fear it hath not a limit. But I am happy if I stay with Queen Atlana. She holdeth the next place to my parents and Hellen.”
And she looked at the queen with most loving eyes.
Upon the king’s face came an expression that only Atlana beheld. Her head whirled, and she fell back upon her chair as if about to swoon. Hellen was quick to raise her, while Æole flew for some water that chanced to be upon the rustic table. The two then bathed her brow and chafed her hands as they begged her to revive.
Atlano watched, unimpressed. When Atlana had sat up with an arm of each faithful one about her, he said sarcastically:
“Well didst thou manage, Atlana.”
The three stared at him, confounded.
He continued: “Thinkest thou any good can come of this acting? Of a truth, if I cause thee such trouble, it would be well to stay from thee ever.”
“Atlano, talk not thus!”
“I go now.” And he arose. “But I have to tell thee that Æole and Hellen will leave thee.”