"And of the second, seeing that it would have come through you, on your conditions, I am indeed glad to be rid.

I wish no power that springs from murder, and no gifts from one who answered his daughter's prayer with blows." For a moment he seemed remorseful.
"She vexed me with her foolishness," he said.

Then his rage blazed up again: "And it was you who taught it to her," he went on.

"You are guilty, all three of you, and therefore I am left with none to serve me in my age; therefore also my mighty schemes are overthrown." "Also, Oro, if you speak truth, therefore half the world is saved," I added quietly, "and one has left it of whom it was unworthy." "You think that these civilisations of yours, as you are pleased to call them, are saved, do you ?" he sneered.

"Yet, even if Bickley were right and I should die and become powerless, I tell you that they are already damned.