146 THE HALL OF SHELLS. 



Highness Tethys, written in his fiery youth, 

 and full of titles of endearment. Behold this 

 one, oft repeated ! " he said, pointing to certain 

 similar markings more delicately and regularly 

 traced than work on Babylonian brick or 

 Egyptian obelisk. 



" Its reading is this : ' O maiden by my 

 heart cherished ! The sea halls are desolate. 

 The jasper throne awaits thee. O maiden by 

 my heart cherished ! The singing nymphs 

 can not charm me. Stay thy sliding chariot. 

 Listen and draw near. O maiden by my heart 

 cherished ! Speaks not my 'heart to thee ? ' 

 And here," he said, " is inscribed the name 

 with all its titles and the ancient seal of the 

 great Oceanus." 



While assuming to read the olive tablet the 

 doctor's eyes were really reading this later 

 maiden's face, and its blushes pleased him. 



But she lightly answered : 



" I read another story in this delicate cunei- 

 form. It is an ocean rune full of mystery and 

 tells how the waves learned their motion ; how 

 the moon draws the crystal tides ; why the sea 

 moans ; and this one has a sea song engraven 

 on it ; and, presto ! " she exclaimed, taking 

 from the shelf an elegant harp shell {Hm'pa 

 ventricosa), " here is the sea nymph's harp to 



