midday
The majestic chamber with its marvellous carvings was filled with a company decked out with all the gauds and colours that fancy could conceive . Little recked they of the solemn portent which had summoned them to the meal , of the death and misery that stalked openly through the city wards without , of the rebels which lay in leaguer beyond the walls , of the neglected Gods and their clan of priests on the Sacred Mountain . They were all gluttonous for the passions of the moment ; it was their fashion and conceit to look at nothing beyond . Flaming jets of earth-breath lit the great hall to the brightness of midday ; and when I stepped out upon the pavement , trumpets blared , so that all might know of my coming . But there was no roar of welcome . `` Deucalion , '' they lisped with mincing voices , bowing themselves ridiculously to the ground so that all their ornaments and silks might jangle and swish . Indeed , when Phorenice herself appeared , and all sent up their cries and made lawful obeisance , there was the same artificiality in the welcome .