That night the gathering about the board was scantier than it had been for many a long day. Yet a few of the suitors remained, and seemed in no haste to be gone. Day after day passed by, and each night Atalanta said within herself,
"To-morrow they will surely go. They dwell in distant towns, and they are waiting for a favourable day for their journey."
But favourable days came and went, and still they stayed in the halls of King Schœnus. At last Atalanta could hide the dread in her heart no longer.
"How long will it be, my father," she asked, "ere we are troubled no more with strangers in our halls?"
"If thou wilt wed one of them, we shall be troubled with the rest no more," he replied.
"They know full well I can wed no man of them, because of the condition I have made," she said.
"They are waiting for thee to fulfil thy condition," said the king.
Then Atalanta herself went and pleaded with them,
"My friends," she said, "I pray you to be guided by me. The gods have not fashioned me after the manner of womenkind, and I cannot give myself nor my love to any man. Look upon me as one of yourselves, I pray you, and think not to win me in marriage."