Up to his full height drew the king and looked down upon her. She waited for an angry answer, but none came.
"Nay, thou canst not provoke me, lady," he said gently. "I know not how it is, but the love I bear thee I think is so strong that it will endure all things and abide forever. All that thou sayest is true. In spite of all, I wait an answer."
Still farther into the shadows withdrew Memene. Her eyes shone strangely.
"The end is not yet. When that end cometh—when thou hast won or lost all that there is to win or lose, then thou shalt have an answer, King Minos, shouldst thou still desire it."
"Be it so, lady, I hold thee to the end, and will seek my answer then, though it be at the gates of death." He bowed and turned away.
Outside the cave two of the dogs were baying. Through the rifted rock came the voice of the Lord Patrymion.
"Here cometh the overlord of the Gateway devils. Say, king, shall I loose the beasts on him?"
"Nay, loose them not," called Minos. He caught up his arms and hastened to join the lad on the hillside.
Some forty paces down the slope stood Analos.