It was not new to us; we had seen it before, but from a different
angle.
We were on the top of the column in the center of the lake; on
the spot where Desiree had whirled in the dance of the sun.
Chapter X.
THE VERDICT.
For many seconds we stood bewildered, too dazed to speak or move.
The light dazzled our eyes; we seemed surrounded by an
impenetrable wall of flame. There was no sensation of heat,
owing, no doubt, to the immense height of the cavern and our
comparatively distant removal from the flames, which mounted
upward in narrow tongues.
Then the details began to strike me.
I have said the scene was the same as that we had previously
beheld. Round the walls of the immense circular cavern squatted
innumerable rows of the Incas on terraced seats.
Below, at a dizzy distance, was the smooth surface of the lake,
black and gloomy save where the reflections from the blazing urns
pierced its depths. And directly facing us, set in the wall of
the cavern, was the alcove containing the throne of gold.
And on the throne was seated--not the diminutive, misshapen king,
but Desiree Le Mire!
She sat motionless, gazing directly at us.
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