下载辰思小说免费APP
ThesunwasalreadyhighintheheavenswhenAzielawokefromthedeepanddreamlesssleepwhichfollowedontheexcitementsandexhaustionofthepreviousday.Afterhisservantshadwaiteduponhimandrobedhim，bringinghimmilkandfruittoeat，hedismissedthem，andsathimselfdownbythecasementofhischambertothinkawhile.
Belowhimlaythecityofflat—roofedhousesenclosedwithadoublewall，withouttheringofwhichwerethousandsofstrawhuts，shapedlikebee—hives，whereindweltnativesofthecountry，slavesorservantsoftheoccupyingPh？nicianrace.ToAziel’sright，andnotmorethanahundredpacesfromthegovernor’shouseinwhichhewas，rosetheroundandmightybattlementsofthetemple，wherethefollowersofElandBaaltisworshipped，andthegoldrefinerscarriedontheirbusiness.Atintervalsonitsflat—toppedwallsstoodtowersofobservation，alternatingwithpointedmonolithsofgraniteandsoapstonecolumnssupportingvultures，rudelycarvedemblemsofBaaltis.Betweenthesetowersarmedsoldierswalkedcontinually，watchingthecitybelowandtheplainbeyond，forthoughthemissionofthePh？niciansherewasoneofpeacefulgainitwasevidentthattheyconsidereditnecessarytobealwayspreparedforwar.Onthehillsideabovethegreattempletoweredanotherfortressofstone——acitadeldeemedtobeimpregnableevenshouldthetemplefallintothehandsofanenemy——whileonthecrestoftheprecipitousslope，stretchingasfartorightandleftastheeyecouldreach，weremanysmallerdetachedstrongholds.
ThescenethatAzielsawfromhiswindowwasabusyone，forbeneathhimamarketwasbeingheldinanopensquareinthecity.Here，shelteredfromthesunbygrass—thatchedbooths，thePh？nicianmerchantswhohadbeenhiscompanionsintheirlongandperilousjourneyfromthecoastwerealreadyintreatywithnumerouscustomers，hoping，notinvain，torecoupthemselvesamplyforthetoilsanddangerswhichtheyhadsurvived.Beneaththeseboothswerespreadtheirgoods;silksfromCos，bronzeweaponsandcopperrods，oringotsfromtherichminesofCyprus，linensandmuslinsfromEgypt;beads，idols，carvenbowls，knives，glassware，potteryinallshapes，andcharmsmadeofglazedfaienceorEgyptianstone;balesofthefamouspurpleclothofTyre;surgicalinstruments，jewellery，andobjectsoftoilet;scents，potsofrouge，andotherunguentsfortheuseofladiesinlittlealabasterandearthenwarevases;bagsofrefinedsalt，andathousandotherarticlesofcommerceproducedorstoredintheworkshopsofPh？nicia.Thesethechapmenbarteredforrawgoldbyweight，tusksofivory，ostrichfeathers，andgirlsofapprovedbeauty，slavestakeninwar，orinsomeinstancesmaidenswhomtheirunnaturalparentsorrelativesdidnotscrupletosellintobondage.
Inanotherportionofthesquare，provisionsandstock，aliveanddead，werebeingofferedforsale，forthemostpartbynativesofthecountry.Herewerepilesofvegetablesandfruitsgrowninthegardens，sacksofvarioussortsofgrain，bundlesofgreenforagefromtheirrigatedlandswithoutthewalls，calabashesfullofcurdledmilk，thicknativebeerandtrussesofreedforthatching.Hereagainwereoxen，mulesandasses，orgreatbuckssuchaswenowknowaselandorkudoo，carriedinonroughlittersofboughstobedisposedofbypartiesofsavagehuntsmenwhohadshotthemwitharrowsortrappedtheminpitfalls.EveryEasterntribeandnationseemedtoberepresentedinthemotleycrowd.Yonderstalkedsavages，nakedexceptfortheirgirdles，andarmedwithhugespears，whogazedwithbewildermentonthewondersofthismartofthewhiteman;theremovedgrave，long—beardedArabmerchantsorPh？niciansintheirpointedcaps，orbare—headedwhite—robedEgyptians，orhalf—bredmercenariescladinmail.Theirvarietywaswithoutend，whilefromthemcameaverybabelofdifferenttonguesastheycriedtheirwares，bargainedandquarrelled.
Azielgazedatthisnovelsightwithinterest，till，ashewasbeginningtowearyofit，thecrowdpartedtorightandleft，leavingaclearlaneacrossthemarket—placetothenarrowgateofthetemple.
AlongthislaneadvancedaprocessionofthepriestsofElcladinredrobes，withtallredcapsupontheirheads，beneathwhichtheirstraighthairhungdowntotheirshoulders.Intheirhandsweregildedrods，androundtheirneckshunggoldenchains，towhichwereattachedemblemsofthegodtheyworshipped.Theywalkedtwo—and—twotothenumberoffifty，chantingamelancholydirge，onehandofeachpriestrestinguponhisfellow’sshoulder，andastheypassed，withtheexceptionofcertainJews，allthespectatorsuncovered，whilesomeofthemorepiousofthemevenfellupontheirknees.
Afterthepriestscameasecondprocession，thatofthepriestessesofBaaltis.Thesewomen，whonumberedatleastahundred，werecladinwhite，andworeupontheirheadsagauze—likeveilthatfelltotheknees，andwasheldinplacebyagoldenfilletsurmountedwiththesymbolofacrescentmoon.Insteadofthegoldenrods，however，eachofthemheldinherlefthandagrowingstalkofmaize，fromthesheathedcobofwhichhungthebrighttasselofitsbloom.Onherrightwrist，moreover，amilk—whitedovewasfastenedbyawire，bothcornanddovebeingtokensofthatfertilitywhich，undervariousguises，wastherealobjectofworshipofthesepeople.Thesightofthesewhite—veiledwomenaboutwhosecrescent—deckedbrowsthedovesfluttered，wildlystrivingtobefree，wasverystrangeandbeautifulastheyadvancedalsosingingalowandmelancholychant.Azielsearchedtheirfaceswithhiseyeswhiletheypassedslowlytowardshim，andpresentlyhisheartbounded，forthereamongthem，claspingthedovesheboretoherbreast，asthoughtostillitsfrightenedstrugglings，wastheLadyElissa.Henoticed，too，thatasshewentbeneaththepalacewalls，sheglancedatthewindow—placeofhischamber，butwithoutseeinghimforhewasseatedintheshadow.
Presentlythelonglineofpriestesses，followedbyhundredsofworshippers，hadvanishedthroughthetortuousandnarrowentranceofthetemple，andAzielleanedbacktothink.
There，amongtheprincipalvotariesofagoddess，thewickednessofwhoseworshipwasascandalandaby—wordevenintheancientworld，walkedthewomantowhomhefeltsostrangelydrawnandwithwhom，iftherewereanytruthinthevisionsofIssacharandthemysteriouswarningsofhisownsoul，hisfatewasintertwined.Ashethoughtofitasuddenrevulsionfilledhisheart.Shewaswiseandbeautiful，andsheseemedinnocent，butIssacharwasright;thisgirlwastheministerofanabominablecreed;nay，foraughtheknew，shewasherselfdefiledwithitsabominations，andherwisdombutanevilgiftfromtheevilpowerssheserved.Couldhe，aprinceoftheroyalbloodoftheHouseofIsraelandoftheancientPharaohsofKhem，desiretohaveanythingtodowithsuchanone，heachildoftheChosenPeople，aworshipperofthetrueandonlyGod？Yesterdayshehadthrownaspelluponhim，aspellofblackmagic，orthespellofherimperialbeauty，which，itmatterednot，butto—dayhewasthelordofhisownmind，andwouldshakehimselffreeofitandher.
Inthemarket—placebelow，theLeviteIssacharalsohadwatchedthepassingofthepriestsandpriestessesofElandBaaltis.
"Tellme，Metem，"heaskedofthePh？nicianwhostoodbesidehim，hisheadrespectfullyuncovered，"whatmummeryisthis？"
"Itisnomummery，worthyIssachar，butaceremonyofpublicsacrifice，whichistobeofferedinthetempleyonder，fortherecoveryfromhersicknessoftheLadyBaaltis，thehigh—priestess."
"Wherethenistheoffering.Iseenone，unlessitbethosedovesthataretiedtothewristsofthewomen？"
"Nay，Issachar，"answeredMetemsmilingdarkly，"thegodsasknoblerbloodthanthatofdoves.Theofferingiswithin，anditisthefirst—
bornchildofapriestessofBaaltis."
"OLordofHeaven！"saidIssacharliftinguphiseyes，"howlongwillyousufferthatthismurderousandaccursedraceshoulddefilethefaceofearth？"
"Softly，friend，"brokeinMetem，"IhavereadyourScriptures，andisitnotsetoutinthemthatyourgreatforefatherwascommandedtoofferuphisfirst—borninsuchasacrifice？"
"Blasphemenot，"answeredtheJew."Hewascommandedindeed，thathisheartmightbeproved，buthishandwasstayed.HeWhomIworshipdelightsnotinthebloodofchildren."
HereIssacharbrokeoff，suddenlyrecognisingtheladyElissaamongthewhite—robedpriestesses.Watchingher，henotedherglanceatthewindowofAziel’schamber，andsawwhatshecouldnotsee，thattheprincewasseatedthere."ThisdaughterofSatanspreadshernets，"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth.Thenathoughtstruckhim，andheaddedaloud，"Say，Metem，isitpermittedtostrangerstowitnesstheritesinyondertemple？"
"Surely，"answeredthePh？nician;"thatis，iftheyguardtheirtongues，anddonothingtooffend."
"ThenIdesiretoseethem，Metem，andsodoubtlessdoestheprinceAziel.Therefore，ifitisyourwill，dometheservicetoenterhischamberinthepalacewhereheissitting，andbidhimtoagreatceremonythatgoesforwardinthetemple.And，Metem，ifheaskswhatthatceremonyis，Ichargeyou，sayonlythatadoveistobesacrificed.
"Iwillwaitforyouatthegateofthetemple，butdonottellhimthatIsendyouonthiserrand.Metem，youlovegain;rememberthatifyouhumourmeinthisandothermatterswhichmayarise，doingmybiddingfaithfully，IhavethetreasuryofJerusalemtodrawupon."
"Noillpaymaster，"repliedMetemcheerfully."CertainlyIwillobeyyouinallthings，holyIssachar，asthekingcommandedmeyonderinJudea."
"Now，"hereflectedtohimself，ashewentuponhismessage，"Iseehowthebirdflies.TheprinceAzielisinlovewiththeladyElissa，orfarupontheroadtoit，asathisageitisrightandproperthatheshouldbe，afteratwelvemonths’journeybyseaandlandwithneveraprettyfacetosighfor.TheholyIssachar，ontheotherhand，ismindedthathischargeshallhavenaughttodowithapriestessofBaaltis，as，hisageandcallingconsidered，isalsorightandproper.
ThenthereisthatblacksavageIthobal，whowishestowinthegirl，andthegirlherself，whoafterthefashionofhersex，willprobablyplaythemalloffoneagainsttheother.Well，somuchthebetterforme，sinceIshallbearichermaneventhanIambeforethisaffairisdonewith.Ihavetwohands，andgoldisgoldwhoeverbethegiver，"
andsmilingcraftilytohimselfMetempassedintothepalace.
CHAPTERV
THEPLACEOFSACRIFICE
SuddenlyAziel，lookingupfromhisreverie，sawthePh？nicianbowingbeforehim，capinhand.
"MaythePrinceliveforever，"hesaid，"yetifhesuffermelancholytoovercomehimthus，hislife，howeverlong，willbebutsad."
"Iwasonlythinking，Metem，"answeredAzielwithastart.
"OftheladyElissa，whomyourescued，Prince？Ah！Iguessedasmuch.
Sheisbeautiful，isshenot——Ihaveneverseentheequalofthosedreamyeyesandthatmysterioussmile——andlearnedalso，thoughmyself，inawomanIpreferthebeautywithoutthelearning.Itisapitynowthatsheshouldchancetobeapriestessofourworship，forthatwillnotpleasetheholyIssacharwhom，Ifear，Prince，youfindasternguideforthefeetofyouth."
"Yourbusiness，merchant？"brokeinAziel.
"Icraveyourpardon，Prince，"answeredthePh？nician，spreadingouthishandsindeprecation."Istruckagoodbargainformywaresthismorning，anddrankwinetosealit，therefore，letmebeforgivenifI
havespokentoofreelyinyourpresence，Prince.Thisismybusiness：
Yonderinthetempletheycelebrateaservicewhichitislawfulforstrangerstowitness，andastheopportunityisrare，Ithoughtthat，havingheardsomethingofourmysteriesinthegrovelastnight，youmightwishtoseetheoffice.Ifthisbeso，Iamcometoguideyou."
"Aziel’sfirstimpulsewastorefusetogo;indeed，thewordsofdismissalwereonhislipswhenanotherpurposeenteredhismind.ForthisoncehewouldlookupontheseabominationsandlearnwhatpartElissaplayedinthem，andthusbecuredforeverofthelongingsthathadseizedhim.
"Whatistheceremony？"heasked.
"AsacrificefortherecoveryoftheladyBaaltiswhoissick，Prince."
"Andwhatisthesacrifice？"askedAziel.
"Adove，asIamtold，"wastheindifferentanswer.
"Iwillcomewithyou，Metem."
"Sobeit，Prince.Yourretinueawaitsyouatthegate."
AtthemainentrancetothepalaceAzielfoundhisguardandotherservantsgatheredtheretoescorthim.WiththemwasIssachar，whomhegreeted，askinghimifheknewtheerranduponwhichtheywerebent.
"Ido，Prince;itistowitnesstheabominationofasacrificeoftheseheathens."
"Willyouthenaccompanymethere，Issachar？"
"WheremylordgoesIgo，"answeredtheLevitegravely."Moreover，Prince，ifyouhaveyourreasonsforwishingtoseethisdevil—
worship，Imayhavemine."
Thentheysetout，Metemguidingthem.Atthenorthgateofthetemple，whichwasnotmorethanayardinwidth，thePh？nicianspoketotheguardsonduty，whodrewbacktoletthempass.Insinglefile，forthepassagesweretoonarrowtoallowofanyothermeansofprogression，theythreadedthetortuousandmazypathsofthegreatbuilding，passingbetweenhugewallsbuiltofgraniteblockslaidwithoutmortar，tillatlengththeyreachedalargeopenspace.Heretheceremonyhadalreadybegun.Almostinthecentreofthisspace，whichwaspavedwithblocksofgranite，stoodtwoconicaltowers，thelargerofwhichmeasuredthirtyfeetinheightandthesmallerabouthalfasmuch.Thesetowers，alsobuildofblocksofstone，were，asMeteminformedthem，sacredtoandemblematicalofthegodsElandBaaltis.Infrontofthemwasaplatformsurmountedbyastonealtar，andbetweenthem，builtinapitintheground，burnedagreatfurnaceofwood.Allthecentreoftheenclosurewasoccupiedbythemarshalledranksofthepriestsandpriestesses.Withoutthissacredringstoodthecloselypackedmassesofspectators，amongstwhomAzielandhisfollowingweregivenplace，thoughsomeofthemorepiousworshippersmurmuredaudiblyattheadmissionoftheseJews.
Whentheyentered，thecompaniesofpriestsandpriestesseswerefinishingaprayer，thesentencesofwhichtheychantedalternatelywithstrangeeffect.Inpartitwasformal，andinpartanimprovisedsupplicationtotheprotectinggodstorestorehealthtothatwomanorhigh—priestesswhowasknownastheladyBaaltis.Theprayerended，abeautifulbold—facedgirladvancedtoanopenspaceinfrontofthealtar，andwithasuddenmovementthrewoffherwhiterobe，revealingherselftothespectatorsinamany—colouredgarmentofgauze，throughwhichherfairfleshgleamed.
Theblackhairofthiswomanwasadornedwithacoronetofscarletflowersandhunglooseabouther;herfeetandarmswerenaked，andineachhandsheheldaknifeofbronze.Veryslowlyshebegantodance，herpaintedlipspartedasthoughtospeak，andhereyes，brightenedwithpigments，turneduptoheaven.Bydegreeshermovementsgrewmorerapid，tillatlength，asshewhirledround，herlonglocksstreamedoutstraightupontheairandthecrownofflowerslookedlikeascarletring.Suddenlythebronzeknifeinherrighthandflashed，andaspotofredappearedaboveherleftbreast;thentheknifeinthelefthandflashed，andanotherspotappearedovertherightbreast.Ateachstrokethemultitudecried，"/Ah！/"aswithonevoice，andthenweresilent.
Nowthemaddeneddancer，ceasingherwhirlings，leapthighintotheair，clashingtheknivesaboveherheadandcrying，"Hearme，hearme，Baaltis！"
Againsheleapt，andthistimetheanswerthatcamefromherlipswasspokeninanothervoice，whichsaid，"Iampresent.Whatseekyou？"
Athirdtimethepriestessleapt，replyinginherownvoice，"Healthforthyservantwhoissick."Thencametheanswerinthesecondvoice——"Ihearyou，butIseenosacrifice."
"Whatsacrificewould’stthou，OQueen？Adove？"
"Nay."
"Whatthen，Queen？"
"Oneonly，thefirst—bornchildofawoman."
Asthiscommand，whichtheysupposedtobedivineandfromabove，issuedoutofthelipsofthegashedandbleedingPythoness，themultitudethathithertohadlistenedinperfectsilence，shoutedaloud，whilethegirlherself，utterlyexhausted，felltotheearthswooning.
NowthehighpriestofEl，whowasnamedtheShadid，noneotherindeedthanthehusbandofherwholaysick，sprangupontheplatformandcried：——
"Thegoddesshasspokenbythemouthofheroracle.Shewhoisthemotherofalldemandsonelifeoutofthemanyshehasgiven，thattheLadyBaaltis，whoisherpriestessuponearth，mayberecoveredofhersickness.Say，whowilllaydownalifeforthehonourofthegoddess，andthatherregentinthislandmaybesavedalive？"
Now——forallthisscenehadbeencarefullyprepared——awomansteppedforward，wearingtherobeofapriestess，whoboreinherarmsadruggedandsleepingchild.
"I，father，"shecriedinashrill，hardvoice，thoughherlipstrembledasshespoke."Letthegoddesstakethischild，thefirst—
fruitofmybody，thatourmothertheLadyBaaltismaybecuredofhersickness，andthatI，herdaughter，maybeblessedbythegoddess，andthroughme，allwewhoworshipher."Andsheheldoutthelittlevictimtowardshim.
TheShadidstretchedouthisarmstotakeit，butheneverdidtakeit，foratthatmomentappearedupontheplatformthetallandbeardedfigureofIssacharcladinhiswhiterobes.
"Hold！"hecriedinaloud，clearvoice，"andtouchnottheinnocentchild.SpawnofSatan，wouldyoudomurdertoappeasethedevilswhomyouworship？Wellshalltheyrepayyou，peopleofZimboe.Oh！mineeyesareopenandIsee，"hewenton，shakinghisthinarmsabovehisheadinapropheticfrenzy."IseetheswordofthetrueGod，anditflamesabovethiscityofidolatersandabominations.Iseethisplaceofsacrifice，andItellyouthatbeforethemoonisyoungagainitshallrunredwiththebloodofyou，idolworshippers，andofyou，womenofthegroves.Theheathenisatyourgates，yefollowersofdemons，andmyGodsendsthemasHesendsthelocustsofthenorthwindtodevouryoulikegrass，tosweepyouawaylikethedustofthedesert.CrythenuponElandBaaltis，andletElandBaaltissaveyouiftheycan.Doomisuponyou;Azrael，angelofdeath，writeshisnameuponyourforeheads，everyoneofyou，givingyourcitytotheowls，yourbodiestothejackals，andyoursoulstoSatan————"
ThusfarthepriestsandthespectatorshadlistenedtoIssachar’sdenunciationsinbewilderedamazementnotunmixedwithfear.Nowwitharoarofwraththeyawoke，andsuddenlyhewasdraggedfromtheplatformbyascoreofhandsandstruckdownwithmanyblows.Indeed，hewouldthenandtherehavebeentorntopieceshadnotaguardofsoldiers，knowingthathewasSakon’sguestandinthetrainoftheprinceAziel，snatchedhimfromthemaddenedmultitude，andbornehimswiftlytoaplaceofsafetywithouttheenclosure.
Whilethetumultwasatitsheight，aPh？nician，whohadarrivedinthetemplebreathlesswithhaste，mighthavebeenseentopluckMetembythesleeve.
"Whatisit？"Metemaskedoftheman，whowashisservant.
"This：theladyBaaltisisdead.Iwatchedasyoubademe，and，asshehadpromisedtodo，intokenoftheend，herwomanwavedanapkinfromthecasementofthattowerwhereshelies."
"Doanyknowofthis？"
"None."
"Thensaynowordofit，"andMetemhurriedoffinsearchofAziel.
PresentlyhefoundhimseekingforIssacharincompanywithhisguards.
"Havenofear，Prince，"Metemsaid，inanswertohiseagerquestions，"heissafeenough，forthesoldiershavebornethefoolaway.PardonmethatIshouldspeakthusofaholyman，buthehasputallourlivesindanger."
"Idonotpardonyou，"answeredAzielhotly，"andIhonourIssacharforhisactandwords.Letusbegonefromthisaccursedplacewhitheryouentrappedme."
BeforeMetemcouldreplyavoicecried，"Closethedoorsofthesanctuary，sothatnonecanpassinorgoout，andletthesacrificebeoffered."
"Listen，Prince，"saidMetem，"youmuststayheretilltheceremonyisdone."
"ThenItellyou，Ph？nician，"answeredAziel，"thatratherthansufferthatlucklesschildtobebutcheredbeforemyeyesIwillcutmywaytoitwithmyguards，andrescueitalive."
"Toleaveyourselfdeadinplaceofit，"answeredMetemsarcastically;
"but，see，awomandesirestospeakwithyou，"andhepointedtoagirlintherobeofapriestess，whosefacewashiddenwithaveil，andwho，inthetumultandconfusion，hadworkedherwaytoAziel.
"Prince，"whisperedtheveiledform，"IamElissa.Foryourlife’ssakekeepstillandsilent，oryouwillbestabbed，foryourwordshavebeenoverheard，andthepriestsaremadattheinsultthathasbeenputuponthem."
"Awaywithyou，woman，"answeredAziel;"whathaveItodowithagirlofthegrovesandamurderessofchildren？"
Shewincedathisbitterwords，butsaidquietly：——
"Thenonyourownheadbeyourblood，Prince，whichIhaveriskedmuchtokeepunshed.Butbeforeyoudie，learnthatIknewnothingofthisfoulsacrifice，andthatgladlywouldIgivemyownlifetosavethatofyonderchild."
"Saveit，andIwillbelieveyou，"answeredtheprince，turningfromher.
Elissaslippedaway，forshesawthatthepriestesses，hercompanions，werereformingtheirranks，andthatshemustnottarry.Whenshehadgoneafewyards，ahandcaughtherbythesleeve，andthevoiceofMetem，whohadoverheardsomethingofthistalk，whisperedinherear：——
"DaughterofSakon，whatwillyougivemeifIshowyouawaytosavethelifeofthechild，andwithitthatoftheprince，andatthesametimetomakehimthinkwellofyouagain？"
"Allmyjewelsandornamentsofgold，andtheyaremany，"sheansweredeagerly.
"Good;itisabargain.Nowlisten：TheladyBaaltisisdead;shediedafewminutessince，andnonehereknowitsavemyselfandoneother，myservant，norcananylearnit，forthegatesareshut.Doyoube，therefore，suddenlyinspired——ofthegods——andsayso，forthenthesacrificemustcease，seeingthatsheforwhomitwastobeofferedisdead.Doyouunderstand？"
"Iunderstand，"sheanswered，"andthoughtheblasphemybringonmethevengeanceofBaaltis，yetitshallbedared.Fearnot，yourpayisgood，"andshepressedforwardtoherplace，keepingtheveilwrappedaboutherheadtillshereacheditunobserved，forinthegeneralconfusionnonehadnoticedhermovements.
Whenthenoiseofshoutingandangryvoiceshadatlengthdiedaway，andthespectatorsweredrivenbackoutsidethesacredcircle，thepriestupontheplatformcried：——
"NowthattheJewblasphemerhasgone，letthesacrificebeoffered，asisdecreed."
"Yea，letthesacrificebeoffered，"answeredthemultitude，andoncemorethewomanwiththesleepingchildsteppedforward.Butbeforethepriestcouldtakeitanotherfigureapproachedhim，thatofElissa，witharmsoutstretchedandeyesupturned.
"Hold，Opriest！"shesaid，"forthegoddess，breathingonmybrow，inspiresme，andIhaveamessagefromthegoddess."
"Drawnear，daughter，andspeakitintheearsofmen，"thepriestansweredwondering，forhefoundithardtobelieveinsuchinspiration，andindeedwouldhavedeniedherahearinghadhedared.
SoElissaclimbedtheplatform，andstandinguponitstillwithoutstretchedhandsandupturnedface，shesaidinaclearvoice：——
"Thegoddessrefusesthesacrifice，sinceshehastakentoherselfherforwhomitwastohavebeenoffered——theLadyBaaltisisdead."
Atthistidingsagroanwentupfromthepeople，partlyofgriefforthelossofaspiritualdignitarywhowaspopular，andpartlyofdisappointmentbecausenowthesacrificecouldnotbeoffered.ForthePh？nicianslovedthesehorriblespectacles，whichwerenot，however，commonlycelebratedbydaylightandinthepresenceofthepeople.
"Itisalie，"criedavoice，"butnowtheLadyBaaltiswasliving."
"Letthegatesbeopened，andsendtoseewhetherornoIlie，"saidElissa，quietly.
Thenforawhiletherewassilencewhileapriestwentupontheerrand.Atlengthhewasseenreturning.Pushinghiswaythroughthecrowd，hemountedtheplatform，andsaid：——
"ThedaughterofSakonspeakstruth;alas！theladyBaaltisisdead."
Elissasighedinrelief，forhadhertidingsprovedfalseshecouldscarcelyhavehopedtoescapethefuryofthecrowd.
"Ay！"shecried，"sheisdead，asItoldyou，andbecauseofyoursin，whowouldhaveofferedhumansacrificeinpublic，againstthecustomofourfaithandcityandwithoutthecommandofthegoddess."
Theninsullensilencethepriestsandpriestessesreformedtheirranks，anddepartedfromthesanctuary，whencetheywerefollowedbythespectators，themostoftheminnogoodmood，fortheyhadbeenbaulkedofthepromisedspectacle.
CHAPTERVI
THEHALLOFAUDIENCE
WhenElissareachedherchamberafterthebreakupoftheprocession，shethrewherselfuponhercouch，andburstintoapassionoftears.
Wellmightsheweep，forshehadbeenfalsetoheroathasapriestess，utteringasamessagefromthegoddessthatwhichshehadlearntfromthelipsofman.More，shecouldnotridherselfoftheremembranceofthescornandloathingwithwhichthePrinceAzielhadlookeduponher，orofthebitterinsultofhiswordswhenhecalledher，"agirlofthegroves，andamurderessofchildren."
Itchancedthat，sofarasElissawasconcerned，thesechargeswereutterlyuntrue.Nonecouldthrowasluruponher，andasfortheserarehumansacrifices，sheloathedtheverynameofthem，nor，unlessforcedtoit，wouldshehavebeenpresenthadsheguessedthatanysuchofferingwasintended.
Likemostoftheancientreligions，thatofthePh？nicianshadtwosidestoit——aspiritualandamaterialside.Thespiritualsidewasaworshipofthefar—offunknowndivinity，symbolisedbythesun，moonandplanets，andvisibleonlyintheirmajesticmovements，andintheforcesofnature.TothisElissaclung，knowingnotruergod，andfromthoseforcesshestrovetowringtheirsecret，forherheartwasdeep.
Lonelyinvocationstothegoddessbeneaththelightofthemoonappealedtoher，forfromthemsheseemedtodrawstrengthandcomfort，buttheoutwardceremoniesofherfaith，orthemoresecretanddarkerofthem，ofwhichinpracticesheknewlittle，werealreadyanabominationinhereyes.AndnowwhatiftheJewprophetspoketruly？Whatifthiscreedofherswerealie，rootandbranch，andtheredidlieintheheavensaboveaLordandFatherwhoheardandansweredtheprayersofmen，andwhodidnotseekofthemthebloodofthechildrenHehadgiven？
AgreatdoubttookholdofElissaandshookherbeing，andwiththedoubtcamehope.Howwasit——ifherfaithweretrue——thatwhenshetookthenameofthegoddessinvain，nothinghadbefallenher？Shedesiredtolearnmoreofthismatter，butwhowastoteachher？TheLeviteturnedfromherwithloathingasfromathingunclean，andthereremained，therefore，buttheprinceAziel，whohadputherfromhimwiththosebitterwordsofscorn.Ah！whydidtheypainherso，piercingherheartaswithaspear？Wasitbecause——because——hehadgrowndeartoher？Yes，thatwasthetruth.Shehadlearneditevenashecursedher;allherquicksouthernbloodwasalightwithanewfire，thelikeofwhichshehadneverknownbefore.Andnotherbloodonly，itwasherspirit——herspiritthatyearnedtohis.Haditnotleaptwithinheratthefirstsightofhimastoonemostdear，onelong—lostandfoundagain？Shelovedhim，andheloathedher，andoh！
herlotwashard.
AsElissalaybroodingthusinherpain，thedooropenedandSakon，herfather，hurriedintothechamber.
"Whatisitthatchancedyonder？"heasked，forhehadnotbeenpresentinthesanctuary，"and，daughter，whydoyouweep？"
"Iweep，father，becauseyourguest，theprinceAziel，hascalledme’agirlofthegroves，andamurderessofchildren，’"shereplied.
"Then，bymyhead，princethatheis，heshallanswerforittome，"
saidSakon，graspingathissword—hilt.
"Nay，father，sincetohimImusthaveseemedtodeservethewords.
Listen."Andshetoldhimallthathadpassed，hidingnothing.
"Nowitseemsthattroubleisheapedupontrouble，"saidthePh？nicianwhenshehadfinished，"andtheyweremadwhosufferedtheprinceandthatfierceIssachartobepresentatthesacrifice.Daughter，Itellyouthis：thoughIamaworshipperofElandBaaltis，asmyfatherswerebeforeme，IknowthatJehovahoftheJewsisagreatandpowerfulLord，andthatHisprophetsdonotprophesyfalsely，forI
haveseenitinmyyouth，yonderinthecoastsofSidon.WhatdidIssacharsay？Thatbeforethemoonwasyoungagain，thistempleshouldrunredwithblood？Well，soitmayhappen，forIthobalthreatenswaragainstus，andforyoursake，mydaughter."
"Howformysake，father？"sheaskedheavily，asonewhoknewwhattheanswerwouldbe.
"Youknowwell，girl.EversinceyoudancedbeforehimatthegreatwelcomingfeastImadeinhishonouramonthagothemanisbesottedofyou;moreover，heismadwithjealousyofthisnew—comer，theprinceAziel.Hehasdemandedpublicaudienceofmethisafternoon，andIhaveitprivatelythatthenhewillformallyaskyouinmarriagebeforethepeople，andifheisrefusedwilldeclarewaruponthecity，withwhichhehasmanyanancientquarrel.Yes，yes，kingIthobalisthatswordofGodwhichtheJewsaidhesawhangingoverus，andshoulditfallitwillbebecauseofyou，Elissa."
"TheJewdidnotsaythat，father;hesaiditwouldbebecauseofthesinsofthepeopleandtheiridolatries."
"Whatdoesitmatterwhathesaid？"brokeinSakonhastily."HowshallIanswerIthobal？"
"Tellhim，"sherepliedwithastrangesmile，"thathedoeswiselytobejealousoftheprinceAziel."
"What！Ofthestrangerwhothisverydayreviledyouinwordsofsuchshame，andsosoon？"askedherfatherastonished.
Elissadidnotspeakinanswer;sheonlylookedstraightbeforeher，andnoddedherhead.
"Hadevermansuchadaughter？"Sakonwentoninpetulantdismay.
"Trulyitisawisesayingwhichtellsthatwomenlovethosebestwhobeatthem，beitwiththetongueorwiththefist.NotbutwhatI
wouldgladlyseeyouweddedtoaprinceofIsraelandofEgyptratherthanofthishalf—bredbarbarian，butthelegionsofSolomonandofPharaoharefaraway，whereasIthobalhasahundredthousandspearsalmostatourgate."
"Thereisnoneedtospeakofsuchthings，father，"shesaid，turningaside，"since，evenwereIwilling，theprincewouldhavenoughttodowithme，whoamapriestessofBaaltis."
"Thematterofreligionmightbeovercome，"suggestedSakon;"but，no，formanyreasonsitisimpossible.Well，thisbeingso，daughter，I
mayanswerIthobalthatyouwillwedhim."
"I！"shesaid;"Iwedthatblack—heartedsavage？Myfather，youmayanswerwhatyouwill，butofthisbesure，thatIwillgotomygravebeforeIpassaswifetotheboardofIthobal."
"Oh！mydaughter，"pleadedSakon，"thinkbeforeyousayit.Ashiswifeatleastyou，whoarenotofroyalblood，willbeaqueen，andthemotherofkings.Butifyourefuse，theneitherImustforceyou，whichishatefultome，ortherewillbesuchawarasthecityhasnotknownforgenerations，forIthobalandhistribeshavemanygrievancesagainstus.Bythegiftofyourself，forawhile，atanyrate，youcan，asitchances，makepeacebetweenus，butifthatiswithheld，thenbloodwillruninrivers，andperhapsthiscity，withallwholiveinit，willbedestroyed，orattheleastitstrademustberuinedanditswealthstolenaway."
"Ifitisdecreedthatallthesethingsaretobe，theywillbe，"
answeredElissacalmly，"seeingthatthiswarhasthreatenedusformanyyears，andthatawomanmustthinkofherselffirst，andofthefateofcitiesafterwards.OfmyownfreewillIshallnevertakeIthobalforhusband.Father，Ihavesaid."
"Ofthefateofcities，yes;buthowofmyfate，andthatofthosewelove？Arewealltoberuined，andperhapsslaughtered，tosatisfyyourwhim，girl？"
"Ididnotsayso，father.IsaidthatofmyownfreewillIwouldnotwedIthobal.Ifyouchoosetogivemetohimyouhavetherighttodoit，butknowthenthatyougivemetomydeath.Perhapsitisbestthatitshouldbethus."
Sakonknewhisdaughterwell，anditdidnotneedthatheshouldglanceatherfacetolearnthatshemeantherwords.Alsohelovedher，hisonlychild，moredearlythananythingonearth.
"Intruthmystraitishard，andIknownotwhichwaytoturn，"hesaid，coveringhisfacewithhishand.
"Father，"shereplied，layingherfingerslightlyonhisshoulder，"whatneedistheretoanswerhimatonce？Takeamonth，orifhewillnotgiveit，aweek.Muchmayhappeninthattime."
"Thecounseliswise，"hesaid，catchingatthisstraw."Daughter，beinthegreathallofaudiencewithyourattendantsthreehoursafternoon，forthenwemustreceiveIthobalboldlyinallpomp，anddealwithhimasbestwemay.AndnowIgotoaskpeacefortheLevitefromthepriestsofEl，andtodiscoverwhomthesacredcollegesdesiretonominateasthenewBaaltis.DoubtlessitwillbeMesa，thedaughterofherwhoisdead，thoughmanyareagainsther.Oh！iftherewerenopriestsandnowomen，thiscitywouldbeeasiertogovern，"andwithanimpatientgestureSakonlefttheroom.
****
Itwasthreeo’clockintheafternoon，andthegreathallofaudienceinZimboewascrowdedwithabrilliantassemblage.TheresatSakon，thegovernor，andwithhimhiscouncilofthenotablesofthecity;
therewereprinceAzielandamonghisretinue，Issachartheprophet，fierce—eyedasever，thoughhardlyrecoveredfromtheroughhandlinghehadexperiencedinthetemple.TherewererepresentativesofthecollegeofthepriestsofEl.Thereweremanyladies，wivesanddaughtersofdignitariesandwealthycitizens，andwiththemagreatcrowdofspectatorsofallclassesgatheredinthelowerpartofthehall，forarumourhadspreadaboutthatthefarewellaudiencegivenbySakontoKingIthobalwaslikelytobestormy.
Whenallweregathered，aheraldannouncedthatIthobal，KingoftheTribes，waitedtotakehisleaveofSakon，GovernorofZimboe，beforedepartingtohisownlandonthemorrow.
"Lethimbeadmitted，"saidSakon，wholookedwearyandillatease.
Thenastheheraldbowedandleft，heturnedandwhisperedsomethingintotheearofhisdaughterElissa，whostoodbehindhischair，herfaceimmovableasthatofanEgyptianSphinx，butmagnificentlyapparelledingleamingrobesandjewelledornaments——whichMetem，lookingonthem，reflectedwithsatisfactionwerenowhisproperty.
Presently，precededbyaburstofsavagemusic，Ithobalentered.HewasgorgeouslyarrayedinapurpleTyrianrobedeckedwithgoldenchains，whileonthebrow，intokenofhisroyalty，heworeagoldencircletinwhichwassetasingleblood—redstone.Beforehimwalkedasword—bearercarryingaswordofceremony，amagnificentivory—handledweaponencrustedwithroughgemsandinlaidwithgold，whilebehindhim，cladinbarbaricpomp，marchedanumberofcounsellorsandattendants，hugeandhalf—savagemenwhoglaredwonderinglyatthesplendouroftheplaceanditsoccupants.Asthekingcame，Sakonrosefromhischairofstateand，advancingdownthehall，tookhimbythehandandledhimtoasimilarchairplacedatalittledistance.
Ithobalseatedhimselfandlookedaroundthehall.PresentlyhisglancefelluponAziel，andhescowled.
"Isitcommon，Sakon，"heasked，"thattheseatofaprinceshouldbesethigherthanthatofacrownedking？"AndhepointedtothechairofAziel，whichwasplacedalittleabovehisownupontheda？s.
ThegovernorwasabouttoanswerwhenAzielsaidcoldly：——
"WhereitwaspointedouttomethatIshouldsit，thereIsat，though，foraughtIcare，thekingIthobalmaytakemyplace.ThegrandsonofPharaohandofSolomondoesnotneedtodisputeforprecedencewiththesavagerulerofsavagetribes."
Ithobalsprangtohisfeetandcried，graspinghissword：——
"Bymyfather’ssoul，youshallanswerforthis，Princelet."
"Youshouldhaveswornbyyourmother’ssoul，KingIthobal，"repliedAzielquietly，"fordoubtlessitistheblackbloodinyourveinsthatcausesyoutoforgetyourcourtesy.Fortherest，Ianswertonomansavetomyking."
"Yetthereisoneotherwhowillmakeyouanswer，"repliedIthobal，inavoicethickwithrage，"andhereheis，"andhedrewhisswordandflasheditbeforetheprince’seyes."Orifyoufeartofacehim，thenthewandsofmyslavesshallcauseyoutocrymepardon."
"Ifyoudesiretochallengemetocombat，kingIthobal，forthispurposeonlyIamyourservant，thoughthefashionofyourchallengingisnotthatofanynationwhichIknow."
BeforeIthobalcouldreply，Sakoncriedoutinaloudvoice：——
"Enough，enough！Isthisaplaceforbrawling，kingIthobal，andwouldyouseektofixaquarreluponmyguest，theprinceAziel，hereinmycouncilchamber，andtobringuponmethewrathofIsrael，ofTyre，andofEgypt？Besurethattheprinceshallcrossnoswordswithyou;
no，notifIhavetosethimunderguardtokeephimsafe.Toyourbusiness，kingIthobal，orIbreakupthisassemblyandsendyouunderescorttoourgates."
NowhiscounsellorspluckedIthobalbythesleeveandwhisperedtohimsomeadvice，whichatlastheseemedtotakewithanillgrace，for，turning，hesaid，"Sobeit.Thisismybusiness，Sakon：FormanyyearsIandthecountlesstribeswhomIrulehavesufferedmuchatthehandsofyouPh？nicians，whocenturiesagosettledhereinmycountryastraders.Thatyoushouldtradewearecontent，butnotthatyoushouldestablishyourselvesasasovereignpower，pretendingtobemyequalswhoaremyservants.Therefore，inthenameofmynation，I
demandthatthetributewhichyoupaytomefortheuseoftheminesofgoldshallhenceforthbedoubled;thatthedefencesofthiscitybethrowndown;andthatyouceasetoenslavethenativesofthelandtolabourinyourservice.Ihavespoken."
Nowasthesearrogantdemandsreachedtheirears，thecompanyassembledinthehallmurmuredwithangerandastonishment，thenturnedtowaitforSakon’sanswer.
"Andifwerefusethesesmallrequestsofyours，OKing？"askedthegovernorsarcastically，"whatthen？Willyoumakewaruponus？"
"Firsttellme，Sakon，ifyoudorefusethem？"
"InthenameofthecitiesofTyreandSidonwhomIserve，andofHirammymaster，Irefusethemoneandall，"answeredSakonwithdignity.
"Then，Sakon，Iammindedtobringupahundredthousandmenagainstyouandtosweepyouandyourcityfromthefaceofearth，"saidIthobal."YetIrememberthatIalsohavePh？nicianbloodinmyveinsmixedwiththenoblerandmoreancientbloodatwhichyonderupstartjeers，andthereforeIwouldspareyou.IrememberalsothatforgenerationstherehasbeenpeaceandamitybetweenmyforefathersandtheCouncilofthiscity，andthereforeIwouldspareyou.Behold，then，Ibuildabridgewherebyyoumayescape，askingbutonelittlethingofyouinproofthatyouareindeedmyfriend，anditisthatyougivemeyourdaughter，theladyElissa，whomIseektomakemyqueen.Thinkwellbeforeyouanswer，rememberingthatuponthisanswermayhangthelivesofallwholistentoyou，ay，andofmanythousandothers."
Forawhiletherewassilenceintheassemblage，andeveryeyewasfixeduponElissa，whostoodneithermovingnorspeaking，herfacestillsetlikethatofaSphinx，andalmostasunreadable.Azielgazedatherwiththerest，andhiseyesshefeltaloneofallthehundredsthatwerebentuponher.Indeed，sostronglydidtheydrawher，thatagainstherownwillsheturnedherheadandmetthem.Thenrememberingwhathadpassedbetweenherselfandtheprincethatveryday，shecolouredfaintlyandlookeddown，neithertheglancenortheblushescapingthewatchfulIthobal.
PresentlySakonspoke：——
"KingIthobal，"hesaid，"Iamhonouredindeedthatyoushouldseekmydaughterasyourqueen，butsheismyonlychild，whomIlove，andI
havesworntoherthatIwillnotforcehertomarryagainstherwill，whoeverbethesuitor.Therefore，King，takeyouranswerfromherownlips，forwhateveritbeitismyanswer."
"Lady，"saidIthobal，"youhaveheardyourfather’swords;bepleasedtosaythatyoulookwithfavouruponmysuit，andthatyouwilldeigntosharemythroneandpower."
Elissatookastepforwardontheda？sandcurtseyedlowbeforetheking.
"OKing！"shesaid，"Iamyourhandmaid，andgreatindeedisthefavourthatyouwoulddoyourservant.Yet，King，IPrayofyousearchoutsomefairerwomanofamoreroyalranktoshareyourcrownandsceptre，forIamallunworthyofthem，andtothosewordsonthismatterwhichIhavespokeninpastdaysIhavenonetoadd."Thenagainshecurtseyed，adding，"King，Iamyourservant."
Nowamurmurofastonishmentwentupfromtheaudience，forfewofthemthoughtitpossiblethatElissa，who，howeverbeautiful，wasbutthedaughterofanoble，couldrefusetobecomethewifeofaking.
Ithobalalonedidnotseemtobeastonished，forhehadexpectedthisanswer.
"Lady，"hesaid，repressingwithaneffortthepassionswhichweresurgingwithinhim，"IthinkthatIhavesomethingtooffertothewomanofmychoice，andyetyouputmeasideaslightlyasthoughI
hadneithername，norpower，norstation.This，asitseemstome，canbereadinonewayonly，thatyourheartisgivenelsewhere."
"Haveitasyouwill，King，"answeredElissa，"myheartisgivenelsewhere."
"Andyet，lady，notfoursunsgoneyousworetomethatyoulovednoman.Sincethenitseemsthatyouhavelearnedtolove，andswiftly，anditisyonderJewwhomyouhavechosen."AndhepointedtotheprinceAziel.
AgainElissacoloured，thistimetotheeyes，butsheshowednoothersignofconfusion.
"Maythekingpardonme，"shesaid，"andmaytheprinceAziel，whosenamehasthusbeencoupledwithmine，pardonme.Isaidindeedthatmyheartwasgivenelsewhere，butIdidnotsayitwasgiventoanyman.
Maynottheheartofamortalmaid—priestessbegiventotheEver—
living？"
Nowforamomentthekingwassilenced，whileamurmurofapplauseatherreadywitwentroundtheaudience.Butbeforeitdiedawayavoiceatthefarendofthehallcalledout：——
"PerchancetheladydoesnotknowthatyonderinEgypt，andinJerusalemalso，princeAzielisnamedtheEver—living."
NowitwasElissa’sturntobeovercome.
"Nay，Iknewitnot，"shesaid;"howshouldIknowit？IspokeofthatDwellerintheheavenswhomIworship————"
"Andbehold，thetitlefitsadwellerontheearthwhomyoumustalsoworship，forsuchomensdonotcomebychance，"criedthesamevoice，butfromanotherquarterofthecrowdedhall.
"Iaskpardon，"brokeinAziel，"andleavetospeak.Itistruethatowingtoacertainbirth—markwhichIbear，amongtheEgyptiansIhavebeengiventhebye—nameoftheEver—living，butitisonewhichthisladycanscarcelyhaveheard，thereforejestnomoreuponachanceaccidentofwords.Moreover，ifyoubemen，ceasetoheapinsultuponawoman.IwhoamalmostastrangerherehavenotdaredtoasktheladyElissaforherfavour."
"Ay，butyouwillaskandshewillgrant，"answeredthesamevoice，theownerofwhichnonecoulddiscover——forheseemedtospeakfromeverypartofthechamber.
"Indeed，"wentonAziel，notheedingtheinterruption，"thelastwordsbetweenuswerewordsofanger，forwequarrelledonamatterofreligion."
"Whatofthat？"criedthevoice;"loveisthehighestofreligions，fordonotthePh？niciansworshipit？"
"Seizeyonderknave，"shoutedSakon，andsearchwasmadebutwithoutavail.Afterwards，however，Azielrememberedthatonce，whentheywereweather—boundontheirjourneyfromthecoast，Metemhadamusedthembymakinghisvoicesoundfromvariousquartersofthehutinwhichtheylay.ThenIthobalroseandsaid：——
"Enoughofthisfolly;Iamnotheretojugglewithwords，ortolistentosuchplay.WhethertheladyElissaspokeofthegodssheservesorofamanisonetome.Icarenotofwhomshespoke，butforherwordsIdocare.Nowhearken，youcityoftraders：Ifthisistobethyanswer，thenIbreakdownthatbridgewhichIhavebuilt，anditiswarbetweenyouandmyTribes，wartotheend.Butletherchangeherwords，andwhethershelovesmeorlovesmenot，cometobemywife，and，formyday，thebridgeshallstand;foroncethatwearewedIcansurelyteachherlove，orifIcannot，atleastitissheI
seekwithorwithoutherlove.Reflectthen，lady，andreplyagain，rememberinghowmuchhangsuponyourlips."
"Doyouthink，kingIthobal，"Elissaanswered，lookingathimwithangryeyes，"thatawomansuchasIamcanbewonbythreats？Ihavespoken，kingIthobal."
"Iknownot，"hereplied;"butIdoknowthatshecanbewonbyforce，andthensurely，lady，yourprideshallpaytheprice，foryoushallbemine，butnotmyqueen."
Nowoneofthecouncilroseandsaid：——
"Itseems，Sakon，thatthereismoreinthismatterthanwhetherornothekingIthobalpleasesyourdaughter.Isthecitythentobeplungedintoagreatwar，ofwhichnonecanseetheend，becauseonewomanlooksaskanceuponaman？Betterthatathousandgirlsshouldbeweddedwheretheywouldnotthanthatsuchathingshouldhappen.
Sakon，accordingtoourancientlawyouhavetherighttogiveyourdaughterinmarriagewhereandwhenyouwill.Wedemand，therefore，thatforthegoodofthecommonwealth，youshouldexercisethisright，andhandovertheladyElissatokingIthobal."
Thisspeechwasreceivedwithloudandgeneralshoutsofapproval，fornoPh？nicianaudiencewouldhavebeenwillingtosacrificeitsinterestsforathingsotrivialasthehappinessofawoman.
"BetweenthedesireofabeloveddaughtertowhomIhavepledgedmywordandmydutytothegreatcityoverwhichIrule，mystraitishardindeed，"answeredSakon."Hearken，kingIthobal，Imusthavetime.Givemeeightdaysfromnowinwhichtoansweryou，forifyouwillnot，Idenyyoursuit."
IthobalseemedabouttorefusethedemandofSakon.Thenoncemorehiscounsellorspluckedhimbythesleeve，pointingouttohimthatifhedidthis，itwaslikelythatnoneofthemwouldleavethecityalive.
Atsomesignfromthegovernor，theywhispered，thecaptainsoftheguardwerealreadyhasteningfromthehall.
"Sobeit，Sakon，"hesaid."To—nightIcampwithoutyourwalls，whicharenolongersafeforonewhohasthreatenedwaragainstthem，andontheeighthdayfromthisseetoitthatyourheraldsbeingmetheLadyElissaandpeace——orImakegoodmythreat.Tillthen，farewell."AndplacinghimselfinthemidstofhiscompanykingIthoballeftthehall.
CHAPTERVII
THEBLACKDWARF
Sometwohourshadpassedsincethebreak—upoftheassemblyinthegreathall.PrinceAzielwasseatedinhischamber，whenthekeeperofthedoorannouncedthatawomanwaswithoutwhodesiredtospeakwithhim.Hegaveordersthatsheshouldbeadmitted，andpresentlyaveiledfigureenteredtheroomandbowedbeforehim.
"Bepleasedtounveil，andtotellmeyourbusiness，"hesaid.
Withsomereluctancehisvisitorwithdrewthewrappingfromherhead，revealingafacewhichAzielrecognisedasonethathehadseenamongthewaitingwomenwhoattendedonElissa.
"Mymessageisforyourear，Prince，"shesaid，glancingatthemanwhohadusheredherintothechamber.
"Itisnotmycustomtoreceivestrangersthusalone，"saidtheprince;"butbeitasyouwill，"andhemotionedtotheservanttoretirewithoutthedoor."Iawaityourpleasure，"headded，whenthemanhadgone.
"Itishere，"sheanswered，anddrewfromherbosomalittlepapyrusroll.
"Whowrotethis？"heasked.
"Iknownot，Prince;itwasgiventometopassontoyou."
Thenheopenedtherollandread.Itranthus："Thoughwepartedwithbitterwords，stillinmysoredistressIcravethecomfortofyourcounsel.Therefore，sinceIamforbiddentospeakwithyouopenly，meetme，Ibeseechyou，atmoonriseinthepalacegardenundertheshadeofthegreatfigtreewithfiveroots，whereIshallbeaccompaniedonlybyoneItrust.Bringnomanwithyouformysafety’ssake.——Elissa."
Azielthrustthescrollintohisrobe，andthoughtawhile.Thenhegavethewaitingladyapieceofgoldandsaid：——
"TellherwhosentyouthatIobeyherwords.Farewell."
Thismessageseemedtopuzzlethewoman，whoopenedherlipstospeak.
Then，changinghermind，sheturnedandwent.
ScarcelyhadshegonewhenthePh？nician，Metem，wasusheredintotheroom.
"OPrince，"hesaidmaliciously，"pardonmeifIcautionyou.Yetintruthifveiledladiesflitthusthroughyourapartmentsinthelightofday，itwillreachtheearsoftheholybutviolentIssachar，ofwhosedoingsIcometospeak.Then，Prince，Itrembleforyou."
Azielmadeamovementhalf—impatientandhalf—contemptuous."Thewomanisaserving—maid，"hesaid，"whobroughtmeamessagethatI
understandbutlittle.Tellme，Metem，foryouknowthisplaceofold，doestherestandinthepalacegardenagreatfigtreewithfiveroots？"
"Yes，Prince;atleastsuchatreeusedtogrowtherewhenlastI
visitedthiscountry.Itwasoneofthewondersofthetown，becauseofitssize.Whatofit？"
"Little，exceptthatImustbeunderitatmoonrise.Seeandread，sincewhateveryoumaysayofyourself，youare，Ithink，notraitor."
"NotifIamwellpaidtokeepcounsel，Prince，"Metemansweredwithasmile.Thenhereadthescroll.
"Iamgladthatthenobleladybringsanattendantwithher，"hesaidashereturnedit，withabow."ThegossipsofZimboearecensorious，andmightmisinterpretthismoonlightmeeting，asindeedwouldSakonandIssachar.Well，doveswillcooandmaidswillwoo，andunlessI
canmakemoneyoutofittheaffairisnoneofmine."
"HaveInottoldyouthatthereisnoquestionofwooing？"askedtheprinceangrily."IgoonlytogiveherwhatcounselIcaninthematterofthesuitofthissavage，Ithobal.TheladyElissaandIhavequarrelledbeyondrepairoverthataccursedsacrifice————"
"Whichherreadywitprevented，"putinMetem.
"ButIpromisedlastnightthatIwouldhelpherifIcould，"theprincewenton，"andIalwayskeepmyword."
"Iunderstand，Prince.Well，sinceyouturnfromthelady，whosenamewithyoursissomuchinmen’smouthsjustnow，doubtlessyouwillgiveherwisecounsel，namely，towedIthobal，andlifttheshadowofwarfromthiscity.Then，indeed，weshallallbegratefultoyou，foritseemsthatnooneelsecanmoveherstubbornness.And，bytheway：
If，whenshehaslistenedtoyourwisdom，thedaughterofSakonshouldchancetoexplaintoyouthatthesightofthisday’sattemptedsacrificefilledherwithhorror，andthatshepartedwitheveryjewelsheownstoputanendtoit——well，herwordswillbetrue.But，sinceyouhavequarrelled，theywillhavenomoreinterestforyou，Prince，thanhasmytalkaboutthem.Sonowtoothermatters."AndMetembegantospeakoftheconductofIssacharinthesanctuary，andofthenecessityofguardinghimagainstassassinationatthehandsofthepriestsofElasaconsequenceofhisreligiouszeal.Presentlyhewasgone，leavingAzielsomewhatbewildered.
Coulditbetrue，assheherselfhadtoldhim，andasMetemnowasserted，thatElissahadnotparticipatedwillinglyinthedarkritesinthetemple？Ifsohehadmisjudgedherandbeenunjust;indeed，whatatonementcouldsufficeforsuchwordsashehadusedtowardsher？Well，tosomeextentshemusthaveunderstoodandforgiventhem，otherwiseshewouldscarcelyhavesoughthisaid，thoughheknewnothowhecouldhelpherinherdistress.
