THE VICTORY OF LOVE.
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her arms about him, and kissed his eyes and lips, and said—
"Dearest heart, thou art greater and more godlike than all thy dread ancestors. Why wilt thou sacrifice thyself and me to them? Why should they ever awake?"
Thoth started back from her, and said, "It cannot be. I cannot destroy at one blow the men I have worshipped—and the generations of my race, and their work of hundreds of years. Far easier is it for me to perish alone."
"Thou dost not love me," said Daphne, "or thou wouldst prove thyself greater than this ancient tyrant. He is unworthy of thee."
Thoth only replied, "I cannot do this thing."
"Then," said Daphne, "choose between me and them. Unless they perish, my love for
