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Rh Daphne looked at Thoth. His face showed most unfeigned surprise and vexation. For the moment he seemed to lose his self-command, but it was only for the moment.

Apparently without an effort he became as calm and unimpassioned as before.

"Hasten!" cried Daphne; "descend to the rescue!"

"It is impossible," he said. "All will be drowned before we can reach them; and besides this, the car can sustain no more."

Daphne looked with horror at the composure of this man, and began to suspect treachery. "Didst thou expect this catastrophe?" she said, trembling.

"Nay," said he; "nothing was further from my thoughts. I can ill spare my men, and my scheme has broken down at the outset. It will be troublesome to replace the maidens."