stubborn mind see the invincible power that can be loosed against
her, to point out to her the utter hopelessness of prevailing
against it."

"If it is ordered, I will do these things. But there is
little enough chance of success. I have seen Phorenice, and can
gauge her will. There will be no turning her once she has made a
decision. Others have tried; you have tried yourself; all have
failed."

"Words that were wasted on a maiden may go home to a wife.
You have been brought here to be her husband. Well, take your
place."

The order came to me with a pang. I had given little enough
heed to women through all of a busy life, though when I landed, the
taking of Phorenice to wife would not have been very repugnant to
me if policy had demanded it. But the matters of the last two days
had put things in a different shape. I had seen two other women
who had strangely attracted me, and one of these had stirred within
me a tumult such as I had never felt before amongst my economies.

To lead Phorenice in marriage would mean a severance from this
other woman eternally, and I ached as I thought of it. But though
these thoughts floated through my system and gave me harsh wrenches
of pain, I did not thrust my puny likings before the command of the
council of the Priests. I bowed before Zaemon, and put his hand to
my forehead. "It is an order," I said. "If our Lord the Sun gives
me life, I will obey."