"We have free speech here. I will not go till I choose."

"Aye, but you will," said the old man, and turned on him with
a sudden tightening of the brows. There was no blow passed; even
the Symbol, which glowed like a star against the night, was not so
much as lifted in warning; but the young man tried to retort, and,
finding himself smitten with a sudden dumbness, turned with a spasm
of fear, and jumped back whence he had come. The crowd of them
thrilled expectantly, and when no further portent was given, they
began to shout that a miracle should be shown them, and then
perchance they would be persuaded back to the old allegiance.

The old man stooped and glowered at them in fury. "You dogs,"
he cried, "you empty-witted dogs! Do you ask that I should degrade
the powers of the Higher Mysteries by dancing them out before you
as though they were a mummers' show? Do you tickle yourselves that
you are to be tempted back to your allegiance? It is for you to
woo the Gods who are so offended. Come in humility, and I take it
upon myself to declare that you will receive fitting pardon and
relief. Remain stubborn, and the scourge, Phorenice, may torment
you into annihilation before she in turn is made to answer for the
evil she has put upon the land. There is the choice for you to
pick at."

The turmoil of voices rose again into the wetness of the
night, and weapons were upraised menacingly. It was clear that the
party for independence had by far the greater weight, both in
numbers and lustiness; and those who might, from sheer weariness of
strife, have been willing for surrender, withheld their word
through terror of the consequence. It was a fine comment on the