“Why look ye so amazed, weaklings? Feeble and childish ye seem compared with your fathers.” He turned to Thoth. “Thou seemest indeed my son. Surely it is not possible that my strict commands as to life and death have not been obeyed? Speak,” he hissed—“are these the best of thy generation?” for they trembled and looked foolish. Then Thoth knew that the moment of trial had come, and he said with courage and simplicity, and speaking as if to an equal— “These, oh king, are the best of thy race of my generation, and all are born of unions such as thou didst ordain. Know, also, that their children are still more weak and feeble, and that thy royal race appears to be threatened with destruction.” The monarch grew pale with anger, and said— “My rules have not been followed. Some traitor has been a victim to the guile of woman.” Then Thoth replied, “Hear me, oh king, with attention, and know that in one thing thy policy has utterly failed. The rest of thy people have become, from age to age, more vigorous and skilful, because their women have been treated with affection and honour. But thy royal race has dwindled. I am the son of a stranger woman, though my father was deceived and knew it not. That miserable being trembling there is thy true successor, according to thy laws of descent. Know that the degradation of women has failed, and thou must choose between love and death. My counsel is, that ye who have returned to life take for wives the best maidens of the ancient cities of Greece, and make honour to women the foundation of our new world.” Then he took Daphne by the hand, and placing her before the king, said— “This is the maiden whom I myself have chosen, and, in spite of generations of oppression, I love her as passionately as thou didst once love the mother of our race.” The monarch shook with anger and loathing, and in vain struggled to rise. “Traitor!” he cried, “darest thou thus to speak to me? Strike this woman dead on the instant.” But Thoth stood motionless, and said, “Thy whole power has grown out of wisdom—listen for a moment to reason.” “Dost thou speak of reason to me, son of an outcast? Ah, that my strength had returned, that I might kill thee with my own hand.” “Revered king,” said Thoth, “I only ask for delay. Thou shalt examine the case thyself. Without thy consent I will do nothing. I have been faithful to all thy commands. The arrows of death and the aërial cars are at thy disposal. Had I been a traitor and a victim to the guile of love, thy sleep would have passed into death.” “Hold thy peace!” cried the monarch. “In a short time I and my true sons will be as strong as thou, and then thy doom will be swift and terrible.” A hoarse murmur of approval arose from the parched throats of the motionless figures. Then the king spoke to his latest descendants— “Are ye all traitors, weaklings? Seize them both, and tear them limb from limb. Ha! I feel my strength,” and he half rose from his seat.