His face became gloomy, but he answered at once— “I swear it.” “Even if I do not love thee?” “Even so.” “And if I wish it, thou wilt never trouble me again?” “Never.” “And thou wilt tell me everything, and explain every mystery in this place?” “Everything; but, Daphne, judge not hastily and harshly. For I will change every law and custom that is to thee displeasing. With thy love,” he continued, in a vein of enthusiasm, “I shall be greater in every way than my great ancestor. He has impressed his will on this race for hundreds of years, and I will impress mine for thousands, and thy will shall be mine. Thou shalt be queen of the whole world, and the lives of the races of men shall be fashioned by thee. No goddess was ever fated to have such might as my love shall give thee for a dower.” * * * * * Thoth seemed completely transformed, and his whole being was tremulous with passion. Daphne felt her power of resistance failing, as the strength of a mortal fails before the desire of some deity. Thoth became to her the perfect embodiment of manhood and of love. She rose from her seat, and drew nearer to him. She looked through his eyes, and the depth of his devotion seemed unfathomable. She could doubt no longer. She raised her face to his, and he covered it with kisses. Then he whispered to her, “Tell me what more I must do or promise. Must love such as ours await some ceremonial for its fulfilment? This is to me the beginning of life. Choose thou for us what form the marriage-rites shall take, for I, alas! know nothing.” At once the spell was broken, for Daphne remembered the horrible unions which the haters of women had hitherto made. She shrank from Thoth, and cried— “Leave me! leave me! How can I forget that the women of thy race have been wooed with torture, and that thou thyself in all likelihood hast gone through rites of ingenious cruelty. I cannot believe in a future that rests on such a past.” But Thoth rejoined with passionate eagerness, and with every sign of truth, “Believe me, Daphne, I myself ordained none of these things.” “But,” she said, “thou hast permitted these terrible customs to live, and thy fellow-rulers have been guilty.” “Canst thou not,” he replied, “separate the past from the future? I, at least, have not offended, in this manner.” But Daphne made no response, and Thoth continued— “Every one who has thus done shall be punished in any way thou mayest choose—if thou wilt, with death.” “Nay,” she said, “I will be guilty of no man’s death.” “Then,” said Thoth, “I will change their natures, as mine has been changed. Wilt thou be mine if, in a full assembly of our ruling race, thou art chosen as the honoured queen of the new era?” Daphne remained silent, and Thoth said abruptly— “I must give thee time for reflection. I know that I shall never change. In seven days I will come for thy answer.” He saluted her with reverence, and departed.