Sally agreed about the extremely dangerous beauty of Luiluma and her friends but forbore to point out that if a man's pledge to a woman he said he loved was worth nothing when given to her alone, no amount of bells and rings and blessings was going to make it any more binding however many people heard him make it before an altar. She knew the way Camilla's mind worked and could only sympathise while being just a little bit amazed to see her cousin's complete change of attitude brought about by coming into collision with other women as beautiful as herself.
Fortunately however Doctor Tisch arrived on the scene and came to Camilla's rescue by reminding her that he had taken orders in his youth. His offer to perform the rites of the Lutheran church over the pair was accepted with grateful thanks and, since there could be no question of 'going away' after it, the time of the ceremony had been fixed to tally with the conclusion of the evening meal that night.
Nicky had been the last to waken, and bathed while Camilla and Vladimir were hugging each other in the jungle. He did not seem as cast down by the news of his rival's victory as might have been expected. Rahossis had taken care of him while Nahou was showing the Doctor and the McKay round the island. Since then he had not been able to take his eyes off her whenever she was in view, and he had already confessed to Sally that he had suffered an unrequited passion for Mae West before he left Hollywood, whom Rahossis undoubtedly resembled.
All of them now with the exception of the McKay, who declared a conservative preference for his trousers, were clad in the flimsy costumes usual among the small population of the island. The two girls did more than justice to the Atlantean tunics and the McKay, who had seen them many times in bathing suits or evening dress, admitted to himself that he had never seen them look more beautiful. That they were conscious of it was evident from the proud way in which they held themselves. Axel and Nicky, like Vladimir, seemed more handsome and virile from the simple change of costume. Even the stout Doctor who had succumbed to Lulluma's wiles, far from looking ridiculous appeared to take on a new dignity in his dark purple robe which he entirely lacked in his untidy checked lounge suit. The McKay was only saved from seeming quite out of place because he remained stripped to the waist and the rippling muscles of his fine torso had their own beauty.
They had met all the Atlanteans now, after the emergency waking which Menes had decreed and watched them in silence as they proceeded to their special conference.
Two by two they walked up the steps of the Temple, hand in hand. Menes and Semiramis first—both grey and white haired, yet upright elderly people, very gracious and benign in mien as befitted the rulers of such an advanced community.
Nahou followed them, leading a dark smooth-haired Russian looking woman called Tzarinska.
Next came Quet, who might well, the onlookers thought, have been called Montezuma, for he had the features and colouring of a Red Indian and the haughty aristocratic bearing suitable to a Mexican noble before the Spanish conquest. With him walked Laotzii. She looked to be a little over forty and possessed that curious beauty which is seen only in half castes resulting from the mixed union of a European and a Chinese.
Rahossis came after her and by her side a fair Greek-God-like young man called Peramon. He was better looking even than Nicky, although of the same type and, realising it Nicky was filled with a deep jealous rage which made his face turn almost chalk white.
Lulluma walked behind her mother escorted by a tall dark boy. His features made the spectators of the procession think of Ancient Egypt or Peru and they knew that he was named Karnoum.
Last of all came Danoe, splendid in her Nordic loveliness and by the hand she clasped her young brother Ciston—a true child of Italy or Spain.
Sally shivered slightly as the last two closed the golden doors of the temple behind them. Axel had learned only ten minutes before from Lulluma the reason for the council and passed it on to the rest. The knowledge that their fate still lay in the balance had turned their gaiety into an anxious gravity.
'I wonder what they will decide,' she murmured half to herself.
'It is death for us if they will not allow us to remain,' said the Doctor.
'Is it?' enquired the McKay, bracing his shoulders. 'It may be death for them! I've still got a couple of bombs left you know.'
'You couldn't!' exclaimed Camilla, 'after they've been so kind.'
'If you did I'd never speak to you again,' declared Sally almost in the same breath.
'Well,' he apologised, 'God forbid that we should do them any harm but we'd be sunk for good if we had to leave this place—and if it comes to a choice of their lives or ours what's a chap to do?'
In the face of this potent argument they all fell silent except the Doctor, who announced: 'Fear! that is the great curse of the world. If it were not for fear all the millions on the upper earth might dwell as happily as these people here. They are afraid that our presence might upset their well-ordered lives, and we are afraid to go out into the darkness. Ach! If only all men could cast out fear all should be saved.'
For a few moments they remained staring at the closed doors of the temple, then Sally said suddenly:
'It's no good us standing here. I've got a feeling that it is going to be all right. Anyway they're far too gentle to turn us out summarily before we've had another meal. Let's do what we can to prepare supper for them and for ourselves when they have finished their pow-wow.'
Her idea was accepted readily and the whole party trooped off to the kitchen. There, to their surprise they found many things already prepared. The Atlanteans had apparently busied themselves with arrangements immediately after their awakening.
There were four freshly caught fish, two of the little deer already skinned and gralloched and a quantity of newly gathered vegetables spread out on the tables.
Axel took charge, since he considered himself, with some justification, a master of the culinary art. The girls understood enough simple cooking to follow his directions and the others took the necessary platters for the meal out into the garden.
In three quarters of an hour the gold plate was spread out below the temple steps for eighteen persons to banquet facing the swimming pool. Fruit, flowers, and the wheaten biscuits which served for bread, had been arranged; only the cooked dishes remained—nearly ready and gently simmering on the long stove which was automatically fed by heat directed from the earthshine.
The McKay was setting the golden goblets and the little liqueur cups opposite each place when the doors of the temple opened and the Atlanteans came out. He straightened immediately and, abandoning his task, confronted Menes.
'Well, Sir,' he said abruptly, 'we'll be glad to know what decision you've arrived at.'
The grey-haired Atlantean raised his hand in a gesture like a blessing; 'The Gods are favourable,' he answered gently. 'You and your people may remain—we make you welcome!'
He did not specify if by "The Gods' he meant the Council of the Atlanteans or Deities whom they had consulted, but the McKay did not bother his head about that. He gave his frank smile and said:
'That's very nice of you, Sir. We are all more grateful than we will ever find words to express, I'm sure. Anyhow we'll give you no trouble and conform to your laws to the best of our ability. Well work for our keep of course, most gladly, and lend a hand to keep the place just as shipshape and lovely as you've made it.'
Menes laid his hand on the McKay's shoulder. His humanity urged him to accept the coming of these strangers now that a general sanction had been granted, although it was against his better judgement but, in his wisdom, he knew that time would inevitably unfold the true nature of the newcomers and if the need arose the Council of the Gods must meet again.