midnight
Sah-luma flushed an angry red , and Theos , though he knew not why , felt a sudden pricking sense of shame . She marked all these signs of disquietude with apparently increasing amusement , for her lovely face grew warm and radiant with suppressed , malicious mirth . She made a slight imperative gesture of command to Gazra , who at once approached , and , bending over the dead Nir-jalis , proceeded to strip off all the gold clasps and valuable jewels that had so lavishly adorned the ill-fated young man 's attire , -- then beckoning another slave nearly as tall and muscular as himself , they attached to the neck and feet of the corpse round , leaden , bullet-shaped weights , fastened by means of heavy iron chains . This done , they raised the body from the floor and carried it between them to the central and largest casement of all that stood open to the midnight air , and with a dexterous movement flung it out into the waters of the lake beneath . It fell with a sullen splash , the pale lilies on the surface rocking stormily to and fro as though blown by a gust of wind , while great circling ripples shone softly in the yellow gleam of the moonlight , as the dead man sank down , down , down like a stone into his crystal-quiet grave . Lysia returned to her throne with a serene step and unruffled brow , followed by the sulky and disappointed Aizif , . .