“Every one who has thus done shall be punished in any way thou mayest choose—if thou wilt, with death.”
“Nay,” she said, “I will be guilty of no man’s death.”
“Then,” said Thoth, “I will change their natures, as mine has been changed. Wilt thou be mine if, in a full assembly of our ruling race, thou art chosen as the honoured queen of the new era?”
Daphne remained silent, and Thoth said abruptly—
“I must give thee time for reflection. I know that I shall never change. In seven days I will come for thy answer.”
He saluted her with reverence, and departed.
CHAPTER XIV.
GREEK AND BARBARIAN.
Hour followed hour with unendurable slowness, until the appointed day arrived for Daphne to declare her decision. With sunrise Thoth requested permission for the interview; but Daphne replied that she would meet him at noon in the garden.
In the absence of other counsellors, she had determined to take advice from the full blaze of the sun, and to listen to the voice of nature in the whispering trees and the peaceful murmuring of the waters.
At length Thoth appeared at the time and place agreed upon. A glance at his face showed that his love had grown with the lapse of time, and Daphne felt a thrill of delight.