Page:Thotharomance00nichgoog.djvu/199

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194
TOOTH.

thee shall be changed to hate and loathing. Choose!"

He looked at her face, and felt his will quail before hers.

"What wouldst thou have?" he said. "I alone cannot carry out the scheme of destruction, and without it thou canst not become queen of the earth."

"I would rather," she replied, "tend sheep with thee on a lonely islet of Greece, than be the shadowy queen of a desolate world. Choose between my living love and this impious deed, which I am certain can never be accomplished. Thou hast failed already,—thou hast made serious errors; chance and nature have baffled thee in the most unexpected manner. Awake! arise! and leave this city and all its horrors, as thou wouldst throw off a horrible dream. Come with me! Treasures thou hast beyond estimation, and wisdom and courage. Thou shalt be-