y ways of removing an unwelcome vassal prince, if I
be the satrap of Hellas."

"And you are that in the morning."

"For your sake," was his cry, as again he kissed her, "I would I were not
satrap of Hellas only, but lord of all the world, that I might give it to
you, O daughter of Darius and Atossa."

"I am mistress of the world," she answered, "for my world is Mardonius.
To-morrow the battle, the glory, and then what next--Sicily, Carthage,
Italy? For Mazda will give us all things."

* * * * * * *

Otherwise talked Democrates and Lycon as they quitted the Persian pickets
and made their way across the black plain, back to the lines of the
Hellenes.

"You should be happy to-night," said the Athenian.

"Assuredly. I draw up my net and find it very full of mullets quite to my
liking."

"Take care it be not so full that it break."

"Dear Democrates,"--Lycon slapped his paw on the other's shoulder,--"why
always imagine evil? Hermes is a very safe guide. I only hope our victory
will be so complete Sparta will submit without fighting. It will be
awkward to rule a plundered city."

"I shudder at the thought of being amongst even conquered Athenians; I
shall see a tyrannicide in every boy in the Agora."

"A stout Persian garrison in your Acropolis is the surest physic against
that."

"By the dog, Lycon, you speak like a Scythian. Hellene you surely are
not."

"Hellene I am, and show my native wisdom in seeing that Persia must
conquer and trimming sail accordingly."

"Persia is not irresistible. With a fair battle--"

"It will not be a fair battle. What can save Pausanias? Nothing--except a
miracle sent from Zeus."

"Such as what?"

"As merciful Hiram's relenting and releasing your dear Glaucon." Lycon's
chuckle was loud.

"Never, as you hope me to be anything save your mortal enemy, mention that
name again."

"As you like it--it's no very pretty tale, I grant, even amongst Medizers.
Yet it was most imprudent to let him live."

"You have never heard the Furies, Lycon." Democrates's voice was so grave
as to dry up the Spartan's banter. "But I shall never see him again, and I
shall possess Hermione."

"A pretty consolation. _Eu!_ here are our outposts. We must pass for
officers reconnoitring the enemy. You know your part to-morrow. At the
first charge bid your division 'wheel to rear.' Three words, and the thing
is done."

Lycon gave the watchword promptly to one of Pausa