She would marry, of course, and would place herself to the best possible advantage, thanks to her father’s influence and position; but gratitude to him or to any one else was entirely foreign to her thoughts. She secretly hated Rahula, because the latter had been like a mother to her; and it gave her keen delight to thwart Rahula’s scheme to marry her to Alcamayn. She was not only dazzled by the prospect of occupying Iaqua, but she knew that this would disappoint and hurt a woman who had unwittingly aroused an unwarranted but common phase of jealousy.
As is often the case, Yermah, the most interested man of them all, was the last to hear the gossip. At first he took no notice. But one day Imos asked him pointedly:
“Wilt thou comply with the demands of the people?”
“If thou wilt name thy wish, I shall answer thee truly,” responded Yermah.
It was in the Temple of the Sun, near the noon hour, and the audience chamber was crowded, Yermah presiding.
“If thou art to be the head of this commonwealth, a helpmeet becomes thy station. Ildiko, daughter of Setos, thy councilor, is of pure blood and comely. Her heirs would be acceptable as future rulers.”
Yermah seemed to shrivel and grow small as the words reached him. He unconsciously assumed an attitude of defense, mechanically passed his hand over his ashen face, and said in a low voice:
“Let this honor in service pass me by!”
Instantly there was tremendous excitement, and Setos’s small pig-eyes emitted a dangerous gleam.
“So he refuses the only chance he has to reign in peace. So be it! I—Setos—will make it cost him his position.”