Lives of Alcyone

When the time came for her marriage there was an eligible
offer from the son of a neighbouring Raja, but she absolutely
refused to leave her brother. Her father was annoyed, but Sirius
joined his pleadings to hers, and eventually a compromise was
arranged. The suitor was refused, but on condition that Alcyone
should marry Mizar, the eldest son of an important noble of the
Court. Naturally he was overjoyed, and Alcyone was well content,
for she had stipulated that her husband should come and live in a
wing of the palace, so that she might not be seperated from her
brother. Cygnus, a younger brother of Mizar, was also hopelessly in
love with Alcyone, and devoted his life to her service, remaining
unmarried until her death; but afterwards he married Egeria.
A few years later Sirius himself married, but fortunately
Alcyone approved of the bride (Orion) who came all the way from
Amer, in the Jaipur State. The years which followed were on the
whole very happy ones, though Alcyone had anxieties when her
husband and her brother were away fighting. Presently, the Raja
(Corona) died, and Sirius became King, and was more than ever
involved in affairs of State. Orion and Alcyone became bosom
friends and were together; they were commonly called the two
Queens.
Both felt a strong attraction for the wonderful temple on the
great hill which towers above Girnar. It was—and is truly marvellous
building, like a vast mediaeval castle of marble, court opening out of
court, and hall out of hall, in bewildering confusion, with matchless
carvings and lovely traceries on every hand. It was built on the side
of a steep mountain, and the only entrance to it was through a single
narrow gateway in a rugged picturesque gorge. So sharp were the