“How so?” he asked, with unfeigned wonder.
“Thou speakest as if all mankind were noxious serpents and raging beasts. To me, a Grecian maiden, thou talkest calmly of destroying the whole Grecian race. Thou wouldst found a universal tyranny on universal slaughter, and so degraded is thy nature that thou dost not see anything horrible in such monstrous crime. I despise myself for ever having listened to thy love. Kill me, torture me, abuse me, I am in thy power, but never will I share in thy unholy schemes.”
Then Thoth said to her—“Take heed; even my passion will not bear such a strain.”
“I would thy passion were turned to hatred,” she cried, “for thou canst not hate me as I hate thee!”
For a time it seemed as if anger and scorn would altogether destroy his love; but Daphne quailed not, and in her wrath became even more beautiful and majestic.
The struggle in Thoth’s mind did not endure long.
“True it is,” he said, “that I cannot hate thee; my love is overpowering. But I cannot shatter to its foundations the edifice which my ancestors have raised. Rather would I make the whole world lifeless. I will give thee a day to reflect.”
CHAPTER XVI.
THE REVOLT OF NATURE.
At Daphne’s request Thoth departed, but as he left her he said with great emphasis—
“Remember that I have spoken the truth, and if thou wilt thou mayest become queen of the earth!”