The frogmen wheeled, raised their lances, levelled them at the throng.

Around the reaching ruby flowers a faint red mist swiftly grew.
The silver cone dropped from Yolara's rigid fingers; her eyes grew stark with horror; all her unearthly loveliness fled from her; she stood pale-lipped.

The Handmaiden dropped the protecting veil--and now it was she who laughed.
"It would seem, then, Yolara, that there _is_ a thing of the Silent Ones ye fear!" she said.

"Well--the kiss of the _Yekta_ I promise you in return for the embrace of your Shining One." She looked at Larry, long, searchingly, and suddenly again with all that effect of sunlight bursting into dark places, her smile shone upon him.

She nodded, half gaily; looked down upon me, the little merry light dancing in her eyes; waved her hand to me.
She spoke to the giant frog-man.