The arm of one of his pretty companions was round his neck,
while the other gave him to drink from a gold cup; some of the contents
of which had been spilt down his white robe.
Just then Atene looked round and saw him and an expression of hatred and
contempt gathered on her beautiful face.
"See," I heard her say to Leo, "see the companion of my days, and learn
what it is to be Khania of Kaloon."
"Then why do you not cleanse your court?" he asked.
"Because, lord, if I did so there would be no court left. Swine will to
their mire and these men and women, who live in idleness upon the toil
of the humble folk, will to their liquor and vile luxury. Well, the end
is near, for it is killing them, and their children are but few; weakly
also, for the ancient blood grows thin and stale. But you are weary and
would rest. To-morrow we will ride together," and calling to an officer,
she bade him conduct us to our rooms.
So we rose, and, accompanied by Simbri, bowed to her and went, she
standing and gazing after us, a royal and pathetic figure in the midst
of all that dissolute revelry. The Khan rose also, and in his cunning
fashion understood something of the meaning of it all.
"You think us gay," he shouted; "and why should we not be who do not
know how long we have to live? But you yellow-haired fellow, you must
not let Atene look at you like that.
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