Gaumata, thus prompted, bowed low before her and said in high, squeaky tones: “Years ago my eyes beheld the most lovely vision of all the earth. It was Athura, star of the morning, lovelier than the moon, shining on a darkened world. My soul went out to her. I said that I would one day sit on the throne of the world with her and her slightest wish should be my law, her will my will, and that together we would rule the universe wisely. Let it be so!”
Athura restrained her indignation with great difficulty. Should she temporize, or at once declare herself? She remained silent a moment. When she spoke, her steady voice betrayed not her deep agitation.
“For this, then, I have been deceived and brought hither,” she said. “It is a very grave matter. I require time to consider it. I know there is but one other choice. That is—death! I must choose between you and death, unless something intervenes. Such presumption as yours in the days of Cyrus would have merited death. But truly has the situation changed through the wisdom of God. How many days may I have to consider this?”
The men glanced at each other doubtfully. Then the Counselor spoke.
“Grave events call for quick action. However, if to-morrow at this time will suit you to answer, let it be so.”
“I shall require at least a week.”
“No, no! You must decide by to-morrow.”
“Must?”
Her tone startled the men. In it were unutterable scorn and menace. Gaumata shrank back. As she looked now, so had he seen Cyrus and Cambyses, the terrible. But Patatheites was unafraid and, knowing the necessity of quick action, he was determined that her choice should be made at once.
“Forgive the expression,” he said. “We are desperate men. So stirred up are the people that we must act quickly. You said truly that you must choose either to consent or to meet death. Rule the world or die! Do you hear? But you shall consent!” He gazed into her eyes with his flashing black eyes fixedly and extended his long, slender fingers towards her slowly. He trusted to his great hypnotic power to overcome the powerful will that showed in her eyes. “On the morrow at this hour you shall say yes!” he added after a pause.