Chapter XXIX: The Feast of Farewell

On the first day of the new Atalantan month a great banquet was held in the hall of the palace which was long remembered in Atalanta and called the Feast of Farewell. All the notables of both the court and the city were present by the Queen’s invitation.

The Queen and the princess-elect, Mayana, sat each upon their throned and canopied couches at the head of the hall, with Melanitis and Radcliffe on the right hand and Abercromby and Minya on the left. Below them the Professor and the engineer occupied the seats reserved for distinguished guests.

Ranged around the hall were the guards and attendants who waited upon the guests, led by Cleophon, who was resplendent in the dress and accoutrements of his new position.

The little tables in front of each, richly inlaid with precious metals and carved with quaint design, were laden with the choicest delicacies of Atalanta and with slender goblets of tinted liquids. Festoons of flowers in every hue sparkled and glistened upon the walls. Panels were slid to and fro to admit streams of radiant sunlight to gild various parts of the banquet-room.

From other parts, usually those that were left in shadow, there came siren strains of the most bewitching music, now rising, now falling, now ascending to a volume of sound, now dying away in a distant harmony. When any speaker rose to speak there was an instant hush. Poetry and song were frequently introduced; on that occasion terrestrial melodies were loudly in demand, particularly those of the more romantic type. Abercromby and Radcliffe had brought some such in the Asteroid for the benefit of the former, as the latter could not play, and had not much capacity as a songster. One was the Invitation Song, and another a religious ballad, “I will give you rest.” Melanitis had turned both of these into Atalantan verse, and they were both sung to a number of instruments, and produced a deep impression upon the audience.

“Love launched a fairy boat” was a song beyond the power of Radcliffe and Melanitis to sing--the memories were too heart-searching for them; but the music was played, and, from the very fact that it was so different from the weird and Oriental-like compositions of Atalanta, it excited the more surprise and interest. The national airs of the different European countries were performed, but these, for the most part, were less popular.

After all this had lasted awhile the Queen rose from her throne and addressed the vast assembly.

“Friends and notables of the Flowery Land, it has been customary from time to time, especially before setting out for our southern progresses, for the princes of Atalanta to gather the chiefs of their people together. Never within the memory of the oldest here present have we had an occasion parallel to this, either by reason of the shadows of the past or the extraordinary circumstances of the present.”

The Queen then detailed the late insurrection, paid a warm tribute to the loyalty which had saved her throne, extolled the goodness and the benevolence of the late King, and asserted her own desire to follow in his steps and to try to do for her people what he had done.

Then she said: “My sister Melanitis has long desired to be relieved of the highest cares of state, and, by her own act of free choice, has besought me to associate her cousin rather than herself in the direct and central rule of our empire. She will, therefore, occupy the less onerous post of ruler of our island of Melandria, by whose people she has for a long time been greatly beloved. Her betrothal to him whom we once called the stranger from Karamandra, but who is now, for the great services which he has rendered to us, enrolled in the highest circle of our nobility, has been recently announced to you, and ere they take up their residence in the island their union by marriage will have been formally ratified by us. It will take place after this assembly has been dispersed, in the presence of the usual chosen witnesses.”

Neither Radcliffe nor Melanitis had been told that matters were quite so imminent, and they exchanged glances. Abercromby managed to slip a piece of paper into Radcliffe’s hand. “Thought I would get all your business over at once, old chap. I fixed it up before the meeting. Don’t turn this into poetry, please!”

“Most earnestly do I desire that the blessing of Heaven may rest upon them,” said the Queen, “and upon their efforts to do my people good. I wish all to know that I publicly sanction these efforts, and that I allow the Christian philosophy to be taught in Atalanta both by speech and writing, with this one exception, that I shall not allow, for some time to come, the holding of assemblies in the promenades and open fields, but only in buildings appointed for the purpose, and, of course, in private dwellings. But this prohibition does not apply to the island unless my sister enforces it there by her own act. The Prince Consort of Melandria (for so will his title be henceforward expressed) will, I am sure, yield an implicit obedience to the one restriction I think good to place upon him.

“The Festival of the Sun is for ever abolished. It may be that in the future some pageant in a Christian form may be sanctioned, but neither I nor he are at all desirous of doing this. I am imposing no faith upon Atalanta, whether old or new. I am in substantial agreement with the Christian religion in most parts wherein it supplements ours, and the Princess Mayana holds the same attitude as myself.

“I think it will be for the good of the people that the new spiritual movement should win its way. Further, you all know that my friend Abercromby has asked my cousin Minya to be his wife. At this also we shall greatly rejoice, and for his services, which have been likewise great, he too shall be counted amongst the highest in the land. As for the three other members of the expedition, the two men who were its actual leaders, being eminent men of science amongst their people, are soon to leave us and to return to their own world, but I will send greeting through them to the ruler of their particular country, the island of Britain, telling him how much I regret that his people are, for the most part, so evil that I cannot permit any direct intercourse between them and my own subjects.

“The servant of the expedition, one Jackson by name, has been cruelly martyred by the priests in the Temple, to my very deep regret, for he was a good man and fought nobly for us in the hour of the great rebellion. He lies beneath the bridge of Amalona, honoured amongst the illustrious dead. He it was who, by his wisdom and sagacity, guided Prince Claretson of Melandria to the place where the sacred manuscript, which will no doubt be added to the terrestrial Bible, was discovered, in the securing of which my sister and the prince had a terrible struggle with a wild beast.

“I have no more to add, notables and friends. For the first time I greet you as your mother and Queen, and my chief regret this day is, that we are so soon to lose two whom we should have been glad to see always with us.”

The banquet was prolonged to a very late hour. Music and song, poetry and recitation, were constantly recurring. There was a short patriotic ode, entitled “The Saluting of the Banner,” which was always sung on state occasions--

Wave the banner high,
Loyal hearts reply,
The throne of Atalanta shall endure;
Aided from above,
Rooted in our love,
What is more triumphantly secure?

In its shelter we rejoice,
And sing with grateful voice
To those whose love protects us every day;
Wide the scarlet banner flings
Its all-protecting wings,
O’er the happy land that owns its peaceful sway.

Before the guests dispersed, little Minya, who had perhaps the sweetest voice in the court circle, sang one of the most touching of the half-romantic, half-religious lyrics of Atalanta, called “Waiting for the Light.”

All the company rose to their feet when the first plaintive notes were struck.

It was a song specially hated by the idolatrous party, but dear to the hearts of others, and now very welcome to the Royalists, both for religious and political reasons:--

Waiting for the light on the distant hills,
Whence we bade farewell to the Traveller unknown,
He who came to tend us and heal us of our ills,
Ere He took His journey, friendless and alone.

Did we understand Him in His lowly guise?
Did our glad hearts open to the wisdom that He taught?
Rather did we wonder in a dull surprise,
Could it be divinity these gracious marvels wrought?

We were always waiting further proof to see,
Closing our proud minds to the proofs already given;
Now we stand all friendless in our agony,
Waiting for a light that can only come from Heaven.

Ages now have sped since the sad and shameful day,
When we drove Him from us with a cold good-bye,
O’er Keraunea’s hills He took His weary way,
Leaving us to mourn and to wander till we die!

Waiting, we are turning questioning eyes to Heaven,
As we stand bewildered in the maze of life.
Shall the hour relieve us when the clouds are riven,
And a heavenly message end our mental strife?

We may _seem_ contented in the Flowery Land,
’Neath the skies all sunlit--never draped in night--
Yet an aching heart tries in vain to understand
Why the ages leave us waiting for the light!

The echoes died away amid a wailing chant which, from every part of the hall, rose, swelled, and faded. In deep silence each guest defiled past the canopied throne, inclined with a deep reverence to the Queen and the princesses, and then left the hall.

“I could not have stood much more of that,” said the engineer. “Never in my life have I had such an experience as this evening. I wonder whether these queer people can be screwed up to put their feelings into real future practice?”

“The dons would have felt rather funny if this had been a Gaudy,” remarked the Professor. “Radcliffe will have all his work well cut out. I should like to take a peep in here, say, ten years hence.”

“Now, my prince, there is one more job in hand to-night before we retire to rest,” said Abercromby. “Step this way and get married, please.”

“Martin Luther wanted one of his friends to attend that he might be sure that he was married after all,” answered Radcliffe. “Which is it with me? I never felt so bewildered in all my life. Anyway, I have got Melanitis.”

“That is the chief thing, my noble prince. The clear air of bracing Melandria will set you right on all side topics. Come along, there is the Queen calling to you. She will be wanting to know what the dickens you are keeping them all waiting for.”

The ceremony was of the simplest kind. They knelt before Mexitli, and she joined their hands together. When they rose up Abercromby said, “_My_ state ceremony will be a little more complicated, but then _I_ shall be doing it for the first time. You _have_ paid all the necessary fees, so now you can skiddadle; there is neither bellringer, clerk, nor parson, except your own august self. Farewell for the present, and be better children than you were at Barmouth.”

* * * * *

The next morning all was astir in the palace. For the last time the Asteroid lay fixed in position upon the terrace square. At the morning meal a feeling of sadness hung over the party, which not even the gay sallies of Abercromby could fully dispel. The Professor and the engineer made short speeches full of good sense and kindly expression. They then took a farewell of the Princess Mayana, who was compelled, from reasons of state business, to remain behind. All the others were to journey with their friends as far as they could.

At ten o’clock by terrestrial time the engines were set going, and the Asteroid winged its aerial flight from Atalanta city. Nearly the whole population had gathered in the streets and promenades, and cheer after cheer of greeting was sent up. In order to please her departing guests, the Queen ordered that a somewhat different route to Melandria should be taken. This time they sped across in a due westerly direction, not veering southwards till they had got to a distance of about fifty miles from the city. Villas and country houses continued to approach and to recede beneath them, and at last, after crossing a line of hills, the waters of the great western ocean came in sight.

The northern end of Melandria could just be observed on the distant horizon, and on a spur of ground that projected some way into the sea they caught sight of a tall building with a graceful tower, several hundred feet in height. At first the Professor and engineer thought it was a lighthouse.

“Nay,” replied Mexitli, “this is a signalling station from whence, by flashes of light, messages are conveyed to and from the Observatory on Aptaura. Most usually, these messages consist of a statement of supplies sent to, or received by, the astronomers, but sometimes news of scientific interest is conveyed. If you all had but only come by way of the southern pole we should have heard of you at once, and then perhaps----”

“We might not have got into so much mischief,” supplied the Professor.

The Queen laughed. “I see your conscience is still sensitive, Carmichael.”

“What are they signalling to us?” cried Minya. “Why I do believe----” she finished the sentence with an exclamation.

“I can read the code,” said Melanitis. “Look! it runs: ‘Why not signal from Aptaura to Karamandra?’”

“A nice suggestion,” said the Queen. “Who has made it, I wonder? Some one who wanted me to receive it in a roundabout way.”

They held on, above the waves which were agitated by a grand swell and current, and soon the heights of the twilight island rose before them, and, an hour later, they had reached the Peak, as it was called, and were in the house of Andron.

“Andron, this is rather hard upon you,” said Melanitis in a kindly tone. “I won’t tell you you are relieved of your post, for who want to be relieved when they love their work? I will tell you instead, that you are to be promoted to another and a higher post at the palace itself.”

“I feel deeply grateful for all the kind recognition which any services of mine rendered to my country have already received,” said Andron; “and the chief thing that gives me pleasure now is to have the honour of inviting you and the prince to remain under my roof till the day when you are formally installed in my place.”

The party were soon partaking of hospitality upon the lawn of the house, with its fine view over the southern sea, and the splendid crescent-shaped esplanade of houses that lined the bay.

Conversation took, as before, a scientific turn, and the ex-governor of Melandria was directly asked by the Professor to state his views as to the possibility of interplanetary signalling. He told him what a stir had been made upon the earth by the mere rumour of a message from Mars, as the supposed outbreak of recent light on that planet had been called.

“We know little about Mars,” answered Andron, “much less than you probably do, which may well be, seeing that we are more than sixty millions of miles from it. I see no reason to think that remote and snowbound planet has, at least now, any inhabitants. But it has always struck me that communication might some day be established between Atalanta and your world, which is sometimes only twenty-four millions of miles apart, only our planet is so awkwardly situated as regards yours that, when we are nearest to you, you can only see us as a thin extended crescent. But, as you before told me, our giant Aptaura can be discerned in your telescopic vision as a tiny sparkling point, due, of course, to the sun’s rays impinging upon its top. I have always thought that a signal might be conveyed to you from us, and if so, as you have learned our language, an alphabet could be constructed.”

“Did _you_ convey a suggestion to me from Aptaura this very morning, Andron?” said the Queen, smiling.

“Yes, he did,” replied Ayacatil; “he was afraid that if he ventured it too directly you would veto him at once.”

“Have you really any suggestions to make?” said the Queen.

“As the sun’s rays strike the peak of Aptaura with almost overwhelming power,” answered Andron, “I cannot see why they might not be focussed in a powerful reflector, and a beam shot skywards in the direction of Karamandra. If they can only see our signal, much will be gained. They might afterwards transmit one of their own from a Karamandran mountain peak, and, though their hills are much smaller, yet their world, appearing as a full circle to us, could more easily be observed by us.”

“But there is something more than this matter which we have been considering,” said Ayacatil. “If, which God forbid, any accident should happen to your machine in space, the whole fruit of your researches would be lost. I advise that your manuscripts be sealed up in a fire-proof cylinder which, in a last extremity, could be thrown out, and it would of necessity fall into the attraction of your world.”

“Admirable!” said Mexitli.

“We have prepared such a contrivance,” answered Andron, “and it will give us much pleasure to present you with it.”

The cylinder was duly inspected, and all agreed that it should be sealed up when they reached Aptaura.

The next two days Clarence and Frank spent largely in the society of the friends they were so soon to lose.

The Queen and Melanitis spent most of their time together, and it was noted by many how serenely happy the princess looked.

And then came the day when the whole party stood upon the mighty mountain peak of Venus. They were facing the cold hemisphere of the south. The green-red star, the “little queen of the night,” shone upon them. Towards it, in a few minutes, the prow of the Asteroid would be turned.

Mexitli held out both her hands to Carmichael and to Carysfort.

“Farewell,” she said; “we met in hostility, we part in friendship. My best wishes for you, for your nation, for the teeming millions of the human races; may they learn to appreciate more and more what their Divine Prince and Saviour has done for them. We are infinitely the better for your sojourning amongst us. You broke our laws at the first only through ignorance, as I now gladly admit, and your conduct since has been irreproachable.”

“May your Majesty enjoy a long and glorious reign,” said the Professor. “May all that the Prince of Melandria and Abercromby carry out here be a blessing both to them and to you. Perhaps it was our fault that we have not enjoyed ourselves from the first as we might have done. Once more I thank you for your kindness. To my dying day I shall never forget Atalanta.”

“Good-bye, Queen,” said Carysfort. “A plain Englishman always has ten times more to say than he knows how to express in words.”

“I understand,” replied Mexitli.

“Tell the Vice-Chancellor,” said Frank, “I think I could pass if I went back to Cambridge now. I know Atalantan if I don’t know much more Greek.”

“Good-bye,” said Radcliffe; “when you happen to run over to Oxford, just give my love to old Prebendary Seaton. I fear I did not visit in his parish quite as much as I should; tell him that I have a large parish now.”

“Good-bye all,” said Melanitis. “My prayers will go with you. When we meet again there will be no parting.” Then she put her hand into Radcliffe’s.

“Good-bye,” said Minya. “Tell the English ladies the names of the four English songs which we like best.”

“Good-bye, Professor and Engineer,” said Abercromby. “I ... there, it’s not a bit of use, I’m stuck.”

“Don’t attempt it, man,” said Carmichael as he entered the Asteroid. “Come along, Carysfort, it’s really time we were off. Here is the MS. cylinder. We won’t forget _that_. Start the engines.”

_POSTSCRIPT_