"To-day," growled Jakuskin. "Not to-morrow!"
Fresh votes had to be taken.
"At once, or in September?"
Once more the votes were twelve to twelve. Once more Zeneida was called upon to give the casting vote.
Upon her breath hung the decision whether the world at that very hour should be shattered to its foundations.
"In September," she said; and Ghedimin gave a deep breath of relief.
Pestel shrugged his shoulders wrathfully.
"Then it were better to put it off until May, to try the success of the concentration of the army in Kiew. There in the South we are the masters."
"Shame upon us!" growled Jakuskin. "We are twelve to their twelve, and dare not do the deed. Every one of us a Brutus! More than an Armada! Were I alone I would do it myself."
The concluding set piece of the fireworks was greeted by the crowd without with clapping of hands. The golden rain fell like a shower of stars from the sky.