“No,” says Ormuzd, “it is because you deny that I am truth and secretly believe it that you are Ahriman, but it is because I know that I am not the truth that I am Ormuzd.”
“I have enjoyed our little chat,” says Ahriman, “but you lack ambition.”
“By that sin——” begins Ormuzd.
“Oh, nonsense,” cries Ahriman hotly, and then repents of his rudeness. “Forgive me, sire, but I could believe in you if you believed in yourself.”
“Ahriman, Ahriman,” says Ormuzd, laughing lightly, “still tempting me!”
“I bear you no grudge,” says Ahriman. “The truth is——”
“Yes?” asks Ormuzd.
“That you are too clever for me.”
“I thought we should come to it in the end,” says Ormuzd.