“I would rather,” she replied, “tend sheep with thee on a lonely islet of Greece, than be the shadowy queen of a desolate world. Choose between my living love and this impious deed, which I am certain can never be accomplished. Thou hast failed already,—thou hast made serious errors; chance and nature have baffled thee in the most unexpected manner. Awake! arise! and leave this city and all its horrors, as thou wouldst throw off a horrible dream. Come with me! Treasures thou hast beyond estimation, and wisdom and courage. Thou shalt become a leader of living Greeks, and in a few short years the last remnant of these dreadful scenes shall fade away.”
Again she approached him and kissed him.
“See,” she said, “I will not let thee go. The crime is not thine but mine.”
He said, “Leave me,—it cannot be. I will break their trance, and then we will flee away, as before thou didst agree. Time presses. Thou seest this shadow slowly creeping along. Before it reaches the spot on which we stand it will be too late.”
He pointed to the shadow of a huge column, covered with curious signs and symbols.
Daphne clung to him and whispered, “Let it be to them who hate me and thee the shadow of death!”
She looked into his eyes with eager passion, and saw signs of yielding. She redoubled her caresses, and whispered wild words of love.
The shadow came nearer and nearer.
She covered his eyes with her hands, and showered hot kisses on his face.