'She has refused. Tell me, is it not so?'
'Yes, she has, and I can do no more.'
'What did she say?'
'Her words were few, but to the point, to this effect: she had not cursed thee—if the goddess had, Saronia had not power to revoke it.'
'As I thought. She would not stir as much as the quiver of a leaf to aid me; she hates me. Nevertheless, I am no worse by thy asking, rather better, for a fresh knowledge springs into my mind, whispering I was mistaken. Now I know she loves thee not, or would have granted thy request, Chios. No, there is no love in that great dark spirit. She has no counterpart, no affinity, and must move for ever feeding on herself; and thou, Chios, must see all this as well as I, and own if there were a love in thee for her it is a hopeless one, never to be returned.'
A deep gloom clouded that lovely face, plunging her into deepest thought. Suddenly recollecting herself, she said:
'What answer makest thou?'
Chios looked into Nika's eyes.
'The feud between thee and the priestess I may not judge, but Saronia is not a being who may revolve in an orbit moving in her eternal circle through the ages without passing the path of a kindred soul whom she may love. She will find her counterpart, and love as intensely as her mind is great and her faith strong. Thou knowest, girl, I would not for unnumbered worlds willingly cause thee a sting of heart—I never have; but I am compelled to speak as I have in vindication of Saronia.'
'Thou ever didst it; it is no new phase.'