“Then,” she said, “even thy union with me must rest on their consent, and yet thou didst speak as if thou wouldst compel them to submit.”
“But I said, by force of reason and will. Know, once for all, that unless they approve of my conduct, I will not proceed.”
“And what is to be my fate, supposing they do not consent? Thou wouldst not leave me to perish?”
“I will do my utmost to save thee, and I will perish with thee if I fail. But fear not—all shall be well.”
Daphne reflected, and every way of escape from the power of the sleeping tyrants seemed closed. She had hoped at least to gain delay, and had even tried to believe that Thoth might, through his love for her, disregard altogether the past.
The future seemed more hopeless than ever, and she began to feel the courage of despair. If, she thought, this man were slain suddenly, would not the whole power of the tyrants be shattered!
She said to him, “But if thou wert to perish with me, how would it fare with the sleepers?”
“We have never,” he said, “imagined that we could avoid all the accidents of nature. If I were to fail, there are others to take my place. In my absence in Greece another was appointed vice-regent, and for every conceivable emergency provision has been made. It is useless to discuss the matter further, or to delay longer. This very day thou must be prepared to face the assembly.”
“And if we fail, whither shall we flee?” said Daphne.
“Nowhither,” he replied.