第3章

WhenElissareturnedfromtheassembly，shelaidherselfdowntorest，wornoutinmindandbody.Soonsleepcametoher，andwiththesleepdreams.Atfirstthesewerevagueandshadowy，thentheygrewmoreclear.Shedreamedthatshesawadimandmoonlitgarden，andinitavasttreewithtwistedrootsthatseemedfamiliartoher.Somethingmovingamongthebranchesofthistreeattractedherattention，butforalongwhileshewatcheditwithoutbeingabletodiscoverwhatitwas.Nowshesaw.Themovingthingwasahideousblackdwarfwithbeadyeyes，whoheldinhishandalittleivorytippedbow，onthestringofwhichwassetanarrow.Herconsciousnessconcentrateditselfuponthisarrow，andthoughsheknewnothow，shebecameawarethatitwaspoisoned.Whatwasthedwarfdoinginthetreewithabowandpoisonedarrow，shewondered？Suddenlyasoundseemedtostrikeherear，thesoundofaman’sfootstepswalkingovergrass，andsheperceivedthatthefigureofthedwarf，croucheduponthebough，becametenseandalert，andthathisfingerstighteneduponthebow—

stringuntilthebloodwasdrivenfromtheiryellowtips.Followingtheglanceofhiswickedblackeyes，shesawadvancingthroughtheshadowatallmancladinadarkrobe.Nowheemergedintoapatchofmoonlightandstoodlookingaroundhimasthoughheweresearchingforsomeone.Thenthedwarfraisedhimselftohiskneesuponthebough，and，aimingatthebarethroatoftheman，drewthebow—stringtohisear.Atthismomentthevictimturnedhisheadandthemoonlightshonefulluponhisface.ItwasthatoftheprinceAziel.

Elissaawokefromhervisionwithalittlecry，thenrosetrembling，andstrovetocomfortherselfinthethoughtthatalthoughitwassoveryvividshehaddreamedbutadream.Stillshakenandunnerved，shepassedintoanotherchamber，andmadepretencetoeatofthemealthatwasmadereadyforher，foritwasnowthehourofsunset.Whileshewasthusemployed，itwasannouncedthatthePh？nician，Metem，desiredtospeakwithher，andshecommandedthatheshouldbeadmitted.

"Lady，"hesaidbowing，sosoonasherattendantshadwithdrawntothefartherendofthechamber，"youcanguessmyerrand.ThismorningI

gaveyoucertaintidingswhichprovedbothtrueanduseful，andforthosetidingsyoupromisedareward."

"Itisso，"shesaid，andgoingtoachestshedrewfromitanivorycasketfullofornamentsofgoldandamongthemnecklacesandotherobjectssetwithuncutpreciousstones."Takethem，"shesaid，"theyareyours;thatis，savethisgoldchainalone，foritisvowedtoBaaltis."

"Butlady，"heasked，"howcanyouappearbeforeIthobalthekingthusrobbedofallyourornaments？"

"IshallnotappearbeforeIthobaltheking，"sheansweredsharply.

"Yousayso！ThenwhatwilltheprinceAzielthinkofyouwhenheseesyouthusunadorned？"

"Mybeautyismyadornment，"shereplied，"notthesegemsandgold.

Moreover，itisnoughttomewhathethinks，forhehatesme，andhasreviledme."

Metemliftedhiseyebrowsincredulouslyandwenton："Still，Iwillnotdepriveyouofthiswoman’sgear.Looknow，Ivalueit，andatnohighfigure，"anddrawingouthiswriter’spaletteandaslipofpapyrus，hewroteuponitanacknowledgmentofdebt，whichheaskedhertosign.

"Thisdocument，lady，"hesaid，"Iwillpresenttoyourfather——oryourhusband——ataconvenientseason，nordoIfearthateitherofthemwillrefusetohonourit.AndnowItakemyleave，foryou——haveanappointmenttokeep——and，"headdedwithemphasis，"thetimeofmoonriseisathand."

"Yourmeaning，Iprayyou？"sheasked."Ihavenoappointmentatmoonrise，oratanyotherhour."

Metembowedpolitely，butinafashionwhichshowedthatheputnofaithinherwords.

"AgainIaskyourmeaning，merchant，"shesaid，"foryourdarkhintingsarescarcelytobeborne."

ThePh？nicianlookedather;therewasaringoftruthinhervoice.

"Lady，"hesaid，"willyouindeeddeny，afterIhaveseenitwrittenbyyourself，thatwithinsomefewminutesyoumeettheprinceAzielbeneathagreattreeinthepalacegardens，there——sosaidthescroll——toaskhisaidinthismatterofthesuitofIthobal？"

"Writtenbymyself？"shesaidwonderingly."MeettheprinceAzielbeneathatreeinthepalacegardens？NeverhaveIthoughtofit."

"Yet，lady，thescrollIsawpurportedtobewrittenbyyou，andyourownwomanboreittotheprince.AsIthink，shesitsyonderattheendofthechamber，forIknowhershape."

"Comehither，"calledElissa，addressingthewoman."Nowtellme，whatscrollwasthisthatyoucarriedto—daytotheprinceAziel，sayingthatIsentyou？"

"Lady，"answeredthegirlconfusedly，"InevertoldtheprinceAzielthatyousenthimthescroll."

"Thetruth，woman，thetruth，"saidhermistress."Lienot，oritwillbetheworseforyou."

"Lady，thisisthetruth.AsIwaswalkingthroughthemarket—placeanoldblackwomanmetme，andofferedmeapieceofgoldifIwoulddeliveraletterintothehandoftheprinceAziel.Thegoldtemptedme，forIhadneedofit，andIconsented;butofwhowrotetheletterIknownothing，norhaveIeverseenthewomanbefore."

"Youhavedonewrong，girl，"saidElissa，"butIbelieveyourtale.

Nowgo."

Whenshehadgone，Elissastoodforawhilethinking;and，asshethought，Metemsawalookoffeargatheronherface.

"Say，"sheaskedhim，"isthereanythingstrangeaboutthetreeofwhichthescrolltells？"

"Itssizeisstrange，"heanswered，"andithasfiverootsthatstandabovetheground."

AshespokeElissautteredalittlecry.

"Ah！"shesaid，"itisthetreeofmydream.Now——nowIunderstand.

Swift，oh！comewithmeswiftly，forsee，themoonrises，"andshesprangtothedoorfollowedbytheamazedMetem.

Anotherminute，andtheywerespeedingdownthenarrowstreetsofastthatthosewholoiteredthereturnedtheirheadsandlaughed，fortheythoughtthatajealoushusbandpursuedhiswife.AsElissafumbledatthehaspofthedoorofthegarden，Metemovertookher.

"Whatmeansthishunt？"hegasped.

"Thattheyhavedecoyedtheprinceheretomurderhim，"sheanswered，andspedthroughthegateway.

"Thereforewemustbemurderedalso.Awoman’slogic，"thePh？nicianreflectedtohimselfashepantedafterher.

SwiftlyasElissahadrundownthestreet，heresheredoubledherspeed，flittingthroughthegladeslikesomewhitespirit，andsorapidlythathercompanionfounditdifficulttokeepherinview.Atlengththeycametoalargeopenspaceofgroundwhereplayedthelevelbeamsoftherisingmoon，strikinguponthedensegreenfoliageofanimmensetreethatgrewthere.RoundthistreeElissaran，glancingaboutherwildly，sothatforafewsecondsMetemlostsightofher，foritsmasswasbetweenthem.Whenhesawheragainshewasspeedingtowardsthefigureofamanwhostoodintheopen，abouttenpacesfromtheouterboughsofthetree.Tothisshepointedasshecame，cryingoutaloud，"Beware！Beware！"

Anothermomentandshehadalmostreachedtheman，andstillpointingbegantogaspsomebrokenwords.Then，suddenlyinthebrightmoonlight，Metemsawashiningpointoflightflashtowardsthepairfromthedarknessofthetree.ItwouldseemthatElissasawitalso;

atleast，sheleaptfromtheground，herarmliftedaboveherheadasthoughtocatchtheobject.Thenasherfeetoncemoretouchedtheearthherkneesgaveway，andshefelldownwithamoanofpain.Metemrunningontowardsher，ashewentperceivedashape，whichlookedlikethatofablackdwarf，slipfromtheshadowofthetreeintosomebushesbeyondwhereitwaslost.Nowhewasthere，tofindElissahalf—seated，half—lyingontheground，theprinceAzielbendingoverher，andfixedthroughthepalmofherrighthand，whichshehelduppiteously，alittleivory—pointedarrow.

"Drawitoutfromthewound，"hepanted.

"Itwillnothelpme，"sheanswered;"thearrowispoisoned."

Withanexclamation，Metemkneltbesideher，and，notheedinghergroansofpain，drewthedartthroughthepiercedpalm.Thenhetoreastripoflinenfromhisrobe，andknottingitroundElissa’swrist，hetookabrokenstickthatlaynearandtwistedthelinentillitalmostcutintoherflesh.

"Now，Prince，"hesaid，"suckthewound，forIhavenobreathforit.

Fearnot，lady，Iknowanantidoteforthisarrowpoison，andpresentlyIwillbebackwiththesalve.Tillthen，ifyouwouldlive，donotsufferthatbandagetobeloosed，howevermuchitpainsyou，"

andhedepartedswiftly.

Azielputhislipstothehurttodrawoutthepoison.

"Nay，"shesaidfaintly，tryingtopullawayherhand，"itisnotfitting，thevenommaykillyou."

"Itseemsthatitwasmeantforme，"heanswered，"soattheworstI

dotakebutmyown."

Presently，directingElissatoholdherhandaboveherhead，heputhisarmsaboutherandcarriedherahundredpacesormoreintotheopenglade.

"Whydoyoumoveme？"sheasked，herheadrestingonhisshoulder.

"Becausewhoeveritwasthatshotthearrowmayreturntotryhisfortuneasecondtime，andhereintheopenhisdartscannotreachus."Thenhesetherdownuponthegrassandstoodlookingather.

"Listen，princeAziel，"Elissasaidafterawhile，"thevenomwithwhichtheseblackmensoaktheirweaponsisverystrong，andunlessMetem’ssalvebegood，itmaywellchancethatIshalldie.ThereforebeforeIdieIwishtosayawordtoyou.Whatbroughtyoutothisplaceto—night？"

"Aletterfromyourself，lady."

"Iknowit，"shesaid，"butIdidnotwritethatletter;itwasasnare，set，asIthink，bythekingIthobal，whowoulddoyoutodeathinthiswayorinthat.Amessengerofhisbribedmywaiting—maidtodeliverit，andafterwardsIlearntthetalefromMetem.Then，guessingall，Icamehithertotrytosaveyou."

"Buthowcouldyouguessall，lady？"

"Inastrangefashion，Prince."Andinafewwordsshetoldhimherdream.

"Thisismarvellousindeed，thatyoushouldbewarnedofmydangerbyvisions，"hesaidwondering，andhalf—doubtingly.

"Somarvellous，Prince，thatyoudonotbelieveme，"Elissaanswered.

"Iknowwellwhatyouthink.Youthinkthatawomantowhomthisverymorningyouspokesuchwordsaswomencannotwellforgive，beingrevengefullaidaplottomurderyou，andthen，beingawoman，changedhermind.Well，itisnotso;Metemcanproveittoyou！"

"Lady，Ibelieveyou，"hesaid，"withoutneedingthetestimonyofMetem.Butnowthestorygrowsstillmorestrange，forifyouhaddonemenowrong，howcomesitthattopreservemefromharmyousetyourtenderfleshbetweenthearrowandonewhohadreviledyou？"

"Itwasbychance，"sheansweredfaintly."Ilearntthetruthandrantowarnyou.ThenIsawthearrowflytowardsyourheart，andstrovetograspit，anditpiercedme.Itwasbychance，bysuchachanceasmademedreamyourdanger."Andshefainted.

CHAPTERVIII

AZIELPLIGHTSHISTROTH

AtfirstAzielfearedthatthepoisonhaddoneitswork，andthatElissawasdead，tillplacinghishanduponherhearthefeltitbeatingfaintly，andknewthatshedidbutswoon.Toleavehertoseekwaterorassistancewasimpossible，sincehedarednotloosehisholdofthebandageaboutherwrist.So，patientlyashemight，hekneltathersideawaitingthereturnofMetem.

Howbeautifulherpalefaceseemedthereinthemoonlight，setinitsframeofduskyhair.Andhowstrangewasthistaleofhers，ofadreamthatshehaddreamed，adreamwhich，tosavehisown，ledhertoofferherlifetothemurderer’sarrow.Manywouldnotbelieveit，buthefeltthatitwastrue;hefeltthatevenifshewisheditshecouldnotlietohim，forashehadknownsincefirsttheymet，theirsoulswereopentoeachother.Yes，havingthusbeenwarnedofhisdanger，shehadofferedherlifeforhim——forhimwhothatmorninghadcalledher，unjustlysoMetemsaid，"agirlofthegrovesandamurderess."

Howcameitthatshehaddonethis，unlessindeedshelovedhimas——helovedher？

Azielcouldnolongerpalterwithhimself，itwasthetruth.LastnightwhenIssacharaccusedhim，hehadfeltthis，althoughthenhewouldnotadmititaltogether，andnowto—nightheknewthathisfatehadfoundhim.Theywouldsaythat，afterthecommonfashionofmen，hehadbeenconqueredbyalovelyfaceandformandabravedeedofdevotion.Butitwasnotso.Somethingbeyondthefleshanditsworksandattributesdrewhimtowardsthiswoman，somethingthathecouldneitherunderstandnordefine（unless，indeed，thevisionofIssachardefinedit），butofwhichhehadbeenconscioussincefirstheseteyesuponherface.Itwaspossible，itwasevenprobable，thatbeforeanotherhourhadgonebyshewouldhavepassedbeyondhisreach，intothedeepsofdeath，whitherforawhilehecouldnotfollowher.Yetheknewthattheknowledgethatshenevercouldbehiswouldnotaffecttheloveofherwhichburntinhim，forhisdesiretowardsherwasnotaltogetheradesireoftheearth.

Azielbentdownovertheswooninggirl，lookingintoherpaleface，tillherlipsalmosttouchedhisown，andhisbreathbeatingonherbrowseemedtogiveherlifeagain.Nowshestirred，andnowsheopenedhereyesandgazedbackathimawhile，deeplyandwithmeaning，evenashegazedather.

Hespokenoword，forhislipsseemedtobesmittenwithsilence，buthisheartsaid，"Iloveyou，Iloveyou，"andherheartheardit，forshewhisperedback：——

"BethinkyouwhoandwhatIam."

"Itmattersnot，forweareone，"hereplied.

"Bethinkyou，"shesaidagain，"thatsoonImaybedeadandlosttoyou."

"Itcannotbe，forweareone，"hereplied."Onewehavebeen，oneweareto—day，andoneweshallbethroughallthelengthoflifeanddeath."

"Prince，"shesaidagain，"oncemoreandforthelasttimeIsay：

Bethinkyouwell，foritcomesuponmethatyourwordsaretrue，andthatifItakethatwhichto—nightyouoffer，itwillbeforeverandforaye."

"Foreverandaye，letitbe，"Azielsaid，leaningtowardsher.

"Foreverandforaye，letitbe，"sherepeated，holdingupherlipstohis.

Andthusinthesilentmoonlitgardentheyplightedtheirstrangetroth.

"Lady，"saidavoiceintheirears，thevoiceofMetem，"Iprayyouletmedressyourhand，forthereisnotimetolose."

AziellookeduptoseethePh？nicianbendingoverthemwithasardonicsmile，andbehindhimthetallformofIssachar，whostoodregardingthem，hisarmsfoldedonhisbreast.

"HolyIssachar，"wentonMetemwithmalice，"bepleasedtoholdthislady’shand，sinceitseemsthattheprinceherecanonlytendherlips."

"Nay，"answeredtheLevite，"whathaveItodowiththisdaughterofBaaltis？Cureherifyoucan，orifyoucannot，letherdie，forsoshallastoneofstumblingberemovedfromthefeetofthefoolish."

AndheglancedindignantlyatAziel.

"Haditnotbeenforthissamestoneatleastthefeetofthefoolishbynowwouldhavepointedskywards.Thegodssendmesuchastoneifeverablackdwarfdrawsapoisonedarrowatme，"answeredMetem，ashebusiedhimselfwithhisdrugs.Thenheadded，"Nay，Prince，donotstoptoanswerhim，butholdthelady’shandtothelight."

Azielobeyed，andhavingwashedoutthewoundwithwater，MetemrubbedointmentintoitwhichburntElissasosorelythatshegroanedaloud.

"Bepatientbeneaththepain，lady，"hesaid，"forifithasnotalreadypassedintoyourblood，thissalvewilleatawaythepoisonofthearrow."

Thenhalf—leadingandhalf—carryingher，theybroughtherbacktothepalace.HereMetemgaveheroverintothecareofherfather，tellinghimasmuchofthestoryashethoughtwise，andcautioninghimtokeepsilentconcerningwhathadhappened.

AtthedoorofthepalaceIssacharspoketoAziel.

"DidIdream，Prince，"hesaid，"ordidmyearsindeedhearyoutellthatidolatressthatyoulovedherforever，anddidmyeyesseeyoukissheronthelips？"

"Itseemsthatyousawandheardthesethings，Issachar，"saidAziel，settinghisfacesternly."Nowhearthisfurther，andthenIprayyougivemepeaceonthismatteroftheladyElissa：Ifinanywayitispossible，Ishallmakehermywife，andifitbenotpossible，thenforsolongasshemayliveatleastIwilllookuponnootherwoman."

"Thenthatisgoodnews，Prince，tome，whoamchargedwithyourwelfare，forbesure，ifIcanpreventyou，youshallnevermixyourlifewiththatofthisheathensorceress."

"Issachar，"theprincereplied，"IhavebornemuchfromyoubecauseI

knowwellthatyouloveme，andhavestoodtomeintheplaceofafather.Butnow，inmyturn，Iwarnyou，donotseektoworkharmtotheladyElissa，forinstrikingheryoustrikeme，andsuchblowsmaybringmyvengeanceafterthem."

"Vengeance？"mockedtheLevite."Ifearbutonevengeance，anditisnotyours，nordoIlistentothewhisperingsoflovewhendutypointsthepath.RatherwouldIseeyoudead，princeAziel，thenlureddowntohellbythewilesofyonderwitch."

ThenbeforeAzielcouldanswerheturnedandlefthim.

AsIssacharwenttohisownchamberfullofbitternessandindignation，hepassedthedoorofElissa’sapartments，andcamefacetofacewithMetemissuingfromthem.

"Willthewomanlive？"heaskedofhim.

"Becomforted，worthyIssachar.Ithinkso;thatis，ifthebandagedoesnotslip.Igototelltheprince."

"GladlywouldIgiveahundredgoldenshekelstohimwhobroughtmetidingsthatithadslippedandthewomanwithit，downtothearmsofherfatherBeelzebub，"brokeintheLevitepassionately.

"Prettywordsforaholyman，"saidMetem，feigningamazement."Well，Issachar，Iwilldomostthingsforgoodmoney，buttoshiftthatbandagewouldbebutmurder，andthisIcannotworkevenforthegoldandtowinyourfavour."

"Fool，"answeredIssachar，"didIaskyoutodomurder？Idonotfightwithsuchweapons;letthewomanliveordieasitisdecreed.Nay，entermychamber，forIwouldspeakwithyou，whoareacunningmanversedinthecraftofcourts.Listennow：IlovethisprinceAziel，forIhaverearedhimfromhischildhood，andhehasbeenasontomewhohavenone.More，Iamsenthithertothishatefullandtowatchhimandholdhimfromharm，andforallthatchancestohimImustaccount.Andnow，whathaschanced？Thiswoman，Elissa，byherwitcheries————"

"Softly，Issachar;whatwitcheriesdoessheneedbeyondthoselipsandformandeyes？"

"Byherwitcheries，Itellyou，hasensnaredhimsothatnowheswearsthathewillwedher."

"Whatofit，Issachar？Hemighttravelfartofindalovelierwoman."

"Whatofit，doyouask，rememberingwhoheis？Whatofit，whenyouknowhisfaith，andthatthisfairidolaterwillsapit，andcausehimtocastawayhissoul？Whatofit，whenwithyourownearsyouheardhimsweartoloveherthroughallthedeepsoflifeanddeath？Man，areyoumad？"

"No，butsomemightsaythatyouare，holyfather，whoforgetthatI

amalsoofthisreligionwhichyourevile.Butforgoodorill，sothematterstands;andnowwhatisitthatyouwishofme？"

"IwishthatyoushouldmakeitimpossiblethattheprinceAzielshouldtakethiswomantowife.Notbymurder，indeed，for’thoushaltnotkill，’saiththelaw，butbybringingitaboutthatsheshouldmarrythekingIthobal，orifthatfail，inanyotherfashionwhichseemsgoodtoyou."

"’Thoushaltnotkill，’saithyourlaw;tellmethen，Issachar，doesitsayalsothatthoushalthandoverawomantoafatethatshechancestoholdtobeworsethandeath？Doubtlessitisfoolishofher，andweshouldnotheedsuchwoman’sfolly.Yetthisonehasacertainstrengthofwill，andIquestionifalltheeldersofthecitywillbringherlivingtothearmsofIthobal."

"Itisnoughttome，Metem，ifshewedsIthobal，orwedshimnot，savethatIdonotlovethisheathenman，andsurelyhertemperandherwitcherieswouldbringruinonhim.WhatIwouldhaveyoudoistopreventherfrommarryingAziel;thewayIleavetoyou."

"AndwhatshouldIbepaidforthisservice，holyIssachar？"

TheJewthoughtandanswered，"Ahundredgoldenshekels."

"Twohundredgoldshekels，"repliedMetemreflectively，"nay，Iamsureyousaid/two/hundred，Issachar.Atleast，Idonotworkforless，anditisasmallsumenough，seeingthattoearnitImusttakeuponmyselftheguiltofseveringtwolovinghearts.ButIknowwellthatyouareright，andthatthiswouldbeanevilmarriagefortheprinceAziel，andalsofortheladyElissa，whothendaybydayandyearbyyearmustbearthescourgeofyourreproaches，Issachar.

ThereforeIwilldomybest，notforthemoneyindeed，butbecauseI

seehereinarighteousduty.Andnowhereisparchment，givemethelampthatImaypreparethebond."

"Mywordismybond，Ph？nician，"answeredtheLevitehaughtily.

Metemlookedathim."Doubtless，"hesaid，"butyouareold，andthisis——aroughcountrywhereaccidentschanceattimes.Still，thethingwouldreadveryill，and，asyousay，yourwordisyourbond.Onlyremember，Issachar，twohundredshekels，bearinginterestattwoshekelsamonth.Andnowyouareweary，holyIssachar，withplottingforthewelfareofothers，andsoamI.Farewell，andgooddreamstoyou."

TheLevitewatchedhimgo，mutteringtohimself，"AlasthatIshouldhavefallentosuchtrafficwithaknave，butitisforyoursakeandforyoursoul’ssake，OAzielmyson.IpraythatFatebenottoostrongformeandyou."

FortwodaysfromthisnightElissalayalmostsenseless，andbymanyitwasthoughtthatshewoulddie.ButwhenMetemsawheronthemorningaftershehadbeenwounded，andnotedthatherarmwasbutlittleswollen，andhadnotturnedblack，heannouncedthatshewouldcertainlylive，whateverthedoctorsofthecitymightdeclare.

ThereonSakon，herfather，andAzielblessedhim，butIssacharsaidnothing.

AsthePh？nicianwaswalkingthroughthemarket—placeearlyonthenextdayanagedblackwoman，whomhedidnotknow，accostedhim，sayingthatshehadamessageforhisearfromthekingIthobalwhowascampedwithoutthecityandwhodesiredtoseethemerchandisethathehadbroughtwithhimfromthecoastsofTyre.NowMetemhadalreadysoldallhiswaresatagreatadvantage;still，ashewouldnotneglectthisopportunityoftrade，hepurchasedothersfromhisfellowmerchants，andloadingtwocamelswiththem，setoutforthecampofIthobal，ridingonamule.Bymiddayhehadreachedit.Thecampwaspitchednearwaterinapleasantgroveoftrees，andononeofthesenotfarfromthetentofIthobalMetemnotedthattherehungthebodyofablackdwarf.

"Beholdthefateofhimwhoshootsatthebuckandhitsthedoe.Well，Ihavealwayssaidthatmurderisadangerousgame，sincebloodcallsoutforblood，"thoughtMetemasherodetowardsthetent.

AtitsdoorstoodkingIthoballookingveryhugeandsulleninthesunlight.Metemdismountedandprostratedhimselfobsequiously.

"MaytheKingliveforever，"hesaid，"thegreatKing，theKingtowhomalltheotherkingsoftheearthareasthelittlegodstoBaal，orthefaintstarstothesun."

"Rise，andceasefromflatteries，"saidIthobalshortly;"Imaybegreaterthantheotherkings，butatleastyoudonotthinkit."

"Ifthekingsaysso，soletitbe，"repliedMetemcalmly."Awomanyonderinthemarket—placetoldmethatthekingwishedtotradeformymerchandise.SoIhavebroughtthebestofit;pricelessgoodsthatwhichmuchtoilIhavecarriedhitherfromTyre，"andhepointedtothetwocamelsladenwiththeinferiorarticleswhichhehadpurchased，andbegantoreadthenumberanddescriptionofthegoodsfromhistablets.

"Whatvaluedoyousetuponthewholeofthem，merchant？"askedIthobal.

"Tothetradersofthecountrysomuch，buttoyou，OKing，somuchonly，"andhenamedasumtwicethatwhichhehadpaidinthecity.

"Sobeit，"assentedIthobalindifferently;"Idonothaggleoverwares.Thoughyourpriceislarge，presentlymytreasurershallweighyououtthegold."

Therewasamoment’spause，thenMetemsaid：——

"Thetreesinthiscampofyoursbearevilfruit，OKing.IfImightask，whydoesthatlittleblackmonkeyhangyonder."

"Becausehetriedtodomurderwithhispoisonedarrows，"answeredIthobalsullenly.

"Andfailed？Well，itmustcomfortyoutothinkthathedidfailifhewasofthenumberofyourservants.Itisstrangenowthatsomeknaveunknownattemptedmurderlastnightinthepalacegardens，alsowithpoisonedarrows.Isayattempted，butasyetIcannotbesurethathedidnotsucceed."

"What！"exclaimedIthobal，"was————"andhestopped.

"No，King，princeAzielwasnothit;theLadyElissatookthatshaftthroughherhand，andliesbetweenlifeanddeath.Iamdoctoringher，andhaditnotbeenformyskillshewouldnowbestiffandblack——astheroguewhoshotthearrow."

"Saveher，"saidIthobalhoarsely，"andIwillpayyouadoctor’sfeeofahundredouncesofpuregold.Oh！hadIbutknown，theclumsyfoolshouldnothavediedsoeasily."

Metemtookouthistabletsandmadeanoteoftheamount.

"Takecomfort，King，"hesaid，"IthinkthatIshallearnthefee.Buttospeaktruth，thismatterlookssomewhatugly，andyournameismentionedinit.Alsoitissaidthatyourcousin，thegreatmanwhomtheprinceAzielslew，waschargedtoabductacertainladybyyourorder."

"ThenfalsetalesaretoldinZimboe，andnotforthefirsttime，"

answeredIthobalcoldly."Listen，merchant，Ihaveaquestiontoaskofyou.WilltheprinceAzielmeetmeinsinglecombatwithwhateverweaponshemaychoose？"

"Doubtless，and——pardonmeifIsayit——slayyouasheslewyourcousin，forheisafineswordsman，whohasstudiedtheartinEgypt，whereitisunderstood，andyourstrengthwouldnotavailagainsthim.

Butyourquestionisalreadyanswered，forthoughtheprincewouldbegladenoughtofightyou，Sakonwillhavenoneofit.Haveyounothingelsetoaskme，King？"

Ithobalnoddedandsaid：——

"Listen，merchant.Iknowyourreputeofold，thatyoulovemoneyandwilldomuchtogainit，andthatyouarecraftierthananyhill—sidejackal.Now，ifyoucandomywill，youwillhavemorewealththaneveryouwoninyourlifebefore."

"Theoffersoundsgoodinapoorman’sears，King，butitdependsuponwhatisyourwill."

Ithobalwenttothedoorofthetent，andcommandedthesentrieswhostoodwithouttosuffernonetodisturbhimordrawnear.Thenhereturnedandsaid：——

"Iwilltellyou，butbewarethatyoudonotbetraymycounselsinthisorinanyothermatter，forIhavesharpearsandalongarm.YouknowhowthingsarebetweenmeandtheladyElissaandherfatherSakonandthecitywhichhegoverns.Theystandthus：Unlesswithineightdayssheisgiventomeinmarriage，IhaveswornthatIwillmakewaruponZimboe.Ay，andIwillmakeit，for，filledwithhateforthewhiteman，alreadythegreattribesaregatheringtomybannersintenarmies，eachofthemtenthousandstrong.Onceletthemmarchbeneathyonderwalls，andbeforetheyleaveitZimboe，cityofgold，shallbenothingbutaheapofruins，andahabitationofthedead.Suchshallbemyvengeance;butIseeklovemorethanvengeance，forwhatwillitavailmetobutcherallthatpeopleoftradersif——aswellmaychanceintheaccidentsofwar——IloseherwhomIdesire，whosebeautyshallbemycrownofcrowns，andwhosemindshallmakemegreatindeed？

"Therefore，Metem，ifmaybe，Iwouldwinherwithoutwar;letthewarcomeafterwards，ascomeitmust，forthetimeisripe.Andthoughsheturnedfromme，thisIshouldhavedone，haditnotbeenforyonderprinceAziel，whomshemetinastrangefashion，andstraightwaylearnedtolove.Nowthethingismoredifficult.Nay，whiletheprinceAzielcantakehertowifeitiswell—nighimpossible，sincenothreatsofwarorruincanturnawoman’sheartfromhimsheseeks——tohimsheflies.Therefore，Iaskyou————"

"Yourpardon，King，"Metembrokein，"Iseethatyou，likeyourrival，aresobesottedwiththebeautyofthisgirl，thatinallwithwhichshehastodoyouhavelosttheruleofyourownreason.IwouldsaveyouperchancefromsayingwordstowhichIdonotwishtolisten，andwhenyoufindaquietmindagain，thatyoumayregrethavingspoken.

IfyouwereabouttorequireofmethatIshouldcauseorbeprivytothedeathoftheprinceAziel，youwouldrequireitinvain;yes，evenifyouwerewillingtopaymegoldinmountains，andgemsincamelloads.WithmurderIwillhavenothingtodo;moreover，theprince，yourrival，ismyfriendandmaster，andIwillnotharmhim.Further，Imaytellyouthataftertheadventureoflastnightnonewillbeabletocomenearhimtohurtahairofhishead，seeingthatthroughdaylightandthroughdarknessheisguardedbytwomen."

"Withawoman’sbodytosetbeforehimasashield，"saidIthobalbitterly."Butyouspeaktoofast;Iwasnotabouttoaskyoutokillthisman，oreventoprocurehisdeath，becauseIknowitwouldbeuseless，butratherthatyoushouldsocontrivethathecannottakeElissa.HowyoucontriveitIcarenothing，sothatsheisnotharmed.

Youmaykidnaphim，orstirupthecityagainsthim，asonedestinedtobethesourceofwar，andcausehimtobedespatchedbacktothegreatsea，orbribethepriestsofEltohidehimaway，orwhatyouwill，ifonlyyouseparatehimfromthiswomanforever.Say，merchant，areyouwillingtoundertakethetask，ormustmygoodgoldgoelsewhere？"

Metemponderedawhileandanswered：——

"IthinkthatIwillundertakeit，King;thatis，ifwecometoterms，thoughwhetherIshallsucceedisanothermatter.IwillundertakeitnotonlybecauseIseektoenrichmyself，butbecauseIandotherswhoservehimthinkitisaveryevilthingthatthisprince，Aziel，whosebloodisthemostroyalinthewholeworld，withouttheconsentofthegreatkingofIsrael，hisgrandfather，shouldwedthedaughterofaPh？nicianofficer，howeverbeautifulandlovingshemaybe.AlsoI

loveyondercity，whichIhaveknownforfortyyears，andwouldnotseeitplungedinabloodywarandperhapsdestroyedbecauseacertainmandesirestocallacertaingirlhissweetheart.AndnowifI

succeedinthis，whatwillyougiveme？"

Ithobalnamedagreatsum.

"King，"repliedMetem，"youmustdoubleit，forthatamountyouspeakofIshallbeforcedtospendinbribes.More;youmustgivemethegoldnow，beforeIleaveyourcamp，orIwilldonothing."

"Thatyoumaystealit——anddonothing，"laughedIthobalangrily.

"Asyouwill，King.Sucharemyterms;iftheydonotpleaseyou，well，letmego.Butifyouacceptthem，IwillsignabondunderwhichifwithineightdaysIdonotmakeitimpossiblefortheprinceAzieltomarrytheladyElissa，youmayreclaimsomuchofthegoldasIdonotprovetoyoutohavebeenspentuponyourservice，andnobondofMetemthePh？nicianwaseveryetdishonoured.No，onsecondthoughtIwilllearnwisdomfromIssachartheLeviteandputmyhandtonowritingwhichitwouldpainmethatsomeshouldread.King，myswornwordmustcontentyou.Anotherthing，soonwarmaybreakout，orImaybeforcedtofly.Therefore，Idemandofyouapasssealedwithyoursealthatwillenablemetoridewithtwentymenandallmygoodsandtreasure，eventhroughthemidstofyourarmies.Moreoveryoushallswearthegreatoathtomethatnoticeofthispasswillbegiventoyourgeneralsandthatitshallberespectedtotheletter.

Doyouconsenttotheseterms？"

"Iconsent，"saidthekingpresently.

ThateveningMetemreturnedtothecityofZimboe，butthosewholedhistwocamelslittleguessedthatnowtheywereladen，notwithmerchandise，butwithtreasure.

CHAPTERIX

GREETINGTOTHEBAALTIS

WhenMetemacceptedbribesfromIssacharandfromIthobal，inconsiderationofhisfindingmeanstomaketheunionofAzielandElissaimpossible，hehadalreadythoughtouthisscheme.Itwasonewhich，whilepromoting，asheconsidered，thetruewelfareofthelovers，ifsuccessfulwouldseparatethemeffectuallyandforever.

ItwillberememberedthatElissahadexplainedtotheprincehow，onthedeathoftheladyBaaltis，anotherwomanwaselectedbythecollegesofthepriestsandpriestessestofillherplace.Thisladycouldmarry，indeedshewasexpectedtodoso，butherhusbandmusttakethetitleofShadid，andforherlifetimeactashigh—priestofEl.Therefore，thoughtMetem，ifitcouldbebroughtaboutthatElissashouldbechosenasthenewBaaltis，itwasobviousthattherewouldbeanendofthepossibilityofhermarriagetoAziel.Then，inordertowedher，hemustrenouncehisownreligion——athingwhichnoJewwoulddo——andposeastheearthlyincarnationofonewhomheconsideredafalsedivinityoradevil.

Indeed，notonlymarriage，butanyfurtherintimacybetweenthepairwouldberenderedimpracticable，foruponthispointthereligiouslaw，laxenoughinmanyparticulars，wasverystrict.Infact，sostrictwasitthatfortheladyBaaltisofthedaytobefoundalonewithanymanmeantdeathtoherandhim.Thereasonofthisseveritywasthatshewassupposedtorepresentthegoddess;andherhusband，theShadid，agod，sothatanyquestionablebehaviouronherpartbecameaninsulttothemostpowerfuldivinitiesofHeaven，whichcouldonlybeatonedbythedeathoftheirunworthyincarnations.ThattheselawswereactualandnotformalonlywasprovedbytheinstancethatwithinthehundredyearsbeforethebirthofElissa，aladyBaaltishadbeenexecutedforsomesuchoffence，havingbeenhurledindeedfromthetopmostpinnacleofthefortressabovethetempletothefootoftheprecipicebeneath.

AllthesesacerdotalcustomswerefamiliartoMetem，whoarguedfromthemthattoprocurethenominationofElissaastheBaaltiswouldbetobuildanimpassablewallbetweenherandtheprinceAziel.Also，bywayofcompensation，thatofficewouldconferuponherthehighestdignityandhonourwhichcouldbeattainedbyanywomaninthecity.

Moreover，herelectionwouldplaceherbeyondthereachofthepersecutionsofIthobal，sinceasladyBaaltisshewasentitledtochooseherownhusbandwithouthindranceorappeal，providedonlythathewasofpurewhiteblood，whichIthobalwasnot.

Havingthoughtthematterout，andconvincedhimselfthatsuchacoursewouldnotonlybenefithisownpocket，butprovetothelastingadvantageofallconcerned，Metem，filledwithaglowofrighteouszeal，setabouthistaskwiththepromptitudeandcunningofhisrace.

Itwasnotaneasytask，foralthoughshehadenemiesandrivals，thedaughterofthedeadBaaltis，Mesabyname，wasconsideredtobecertainofelectionatthepollofthepriestsandpriestesses.Thisceremonywastotakeplacewithintwodays.Nothingdiscouraged，however，bythescanttimeathisdisposalorotherdifficulties，withoutherknowledgeorthatofherfather，MetembeganhiscanvassonbehalfofElissa.

Firstwithagreatsumofgoldheboughtovertheex—Shadid，thehusbandofthelateladyBaaltis.Asitchanced，thisworthyhadquarrelledwithhisdaughter.Thereforeitfollowedthathewouldprefertoseesomestrangerchoseninherplaceinthehopethat，notwithstandinghisyears，bychoosinghiminmarriageshemightconfirmhiminhispositionofspousetothegoddess.

AllMetem’sfurthernegotiationsneednotbefollowed：moneyplayedapartinmostofthem;jealousyanddislikeinsome.AfewtherewerealsowhomhewonoverbyurgingthebeautyandwisdomofElissa，andherextraordinaryfitnessforthepost，asevincedbyherrecentinspirationinthetemple！Hefoundhismostpowerfulallies，however，amongthemembersofthecouncilofthecity.TothesegrandeeshepointedoutthatElissawasawomanofgreatstrengthofcharacter，whowouldcertainlyneverconsenttobeforcedintoamarriagewithIthobal，althoughherrefusalshouldmeanadesperatewar，andthatherfatherwassomuchunderherinfluencethathecouldnotbebroughttoputpressureuponher.ThereforeitwasobviousthattheonlywayoutofthedifficultywasherelectionasBaaltis.Thismustproveaperfectanswertothesuitofthesavageking，sincethegoddesscouldnotbecompelled，andevenIthobal，fearingthevengeanceofHeaven，wouldshrinkfromofferingherviolence.

Theresupportgained，havingfirstswornhimtosecrecy，heattackedSakonhimself，usingsimilarargumentswithhim.Hepointedout，inaddition，thatifthegovernorhopedtoseehisdaughtermarriedtoprinceAziel，whowasinlovewithher，howeverdazzlingmightbetheprospectsofsuchamatch，itwouldcertainlybringuponhimthepresentwrathofIthobal，and，inallprobability，futuretroublewiththeCourtsofEgypt，ofIsrael，andthroughthem，ofTyre.Thusworkinginmanyways，Metemlabouredincessantlytowinhisend，sothatwhenatlastthehourofelectioncameheawaiteditsissue，fairlyconfidentofsuccess.

Itwasonthissameafternoonthatforthefirsttimesinceshehadreceivedthearrowwhichwasmeantforhisheart，AzielwasadmittedtoseeElissa.Nowatlengthherrecoverywascertain，althoughshehadnotshakenoffherweakness，andherrightarmandwristwerestillstiffandswollen.Exceptfortwoorthreeofherwomen，whowereseatedattheirworkbehindascreennearthefarendofthegreatchamber，shewasalone，lyinguponacouchintherecessofthewindow—place.Advancingtoher，Azielbentdowntokissherwoundedhand.

"Nay，"saidElissa，hidingitbeneaththefoldsofherrobe，"itisstillblackandunsightlywiththepoison."

"ThemorereasonthatIshouldkissit，seeinghowthestaincamethere，"heanswered.

Hereyesmethis，andshewhispered，"Notmyhand，butmybrow，Prince，forsoIshallbecrowned."

Hepressedhislipsuponherforehead，andreplied：——

"Queenofmyheartyouarealready，andthoughthethronebehumbleitissure.Thelifeyousavedisyours，andnoother’s."

"Ididbutrepayadebt，"sheanswered;"butspeakofitnomore.

GladlywouldIhavediedtosaveyou;shouldsuchchoicearise，wouldyoudosoforme，Iwonder？"

"Thereislittleneedtoasksuchaquestion，lady;foryoursakeI

wouldnotonlydie，Iwouldevenendureshame——thatisworsethandeath."

"Sweetwords，Aziel，"sheanswered，smiling，"ofwhichweshalllearnthevaluewhenthehouroftrialcomes，ascome，Ithink，itwill.Youtoldmebutnowthatyouweremine，andnoother’s;butisitso？I

haveheardthestoryofacertainprincessofKhemwithwhomyournamewasmingled.Tellme，ifyouwill，whatwasitthatsetyoujourneyingtothisfarcityofours？"

"Thedesiretofindyou，"heansweredsmiling;thenseeingthatshestilllookedathimwithquestioningeyes，headded，"Nay，thisisthetruth，ifyouseektruth.Indeed，itisthebestthatIshouldtellyou，sinceitseemsthatalreadyyouhaveheardsomethingofthetale.

AwhileagoIwassenttotheCourtofthePharaohofEgypt，bythewillofmygrandsire，thekingofIsrael，uponanembassyoffriendship，andtoescortthenceacertainbeautifulprincess，mycousin，whowasaffiancedbytreatytoanuncleofmine，agreatprinceofIsrael.ThisIdid，showingtotheladycourtesy，andnomore.ButtheendofthematterwasthatwhenwecametoJerusalemtheprincessrefusedtobemarriedtomyuncle，towhomshewasbetrothed————"andhehesitated.

"Nay，benottimid，Prince，"saidElissasharply;"continue，Iprayyou.Ihaveheardthattheladyaddedsomewhattoherrefusal."

"Thatisso，Elissa.Shedeclaredbeforethekingthatshewouldwednomanexceptmyselfonly，whereonmyunclewasveryangry，andaccusedmeofplayinghimfalse，which，indeed，Ihadnotdone."

"Althoughtheladywassofair，Aziel？Butwhatsaidthegreatking？"

"Hesaidthatneverhavingseenhimtowhomshewasaffianced，hewouldnotsufferthatsheshouldbeforcedintomarriagewithhimagainstherwill.Yetthatherwillmightbeuninfluenced，hecommandedthatIshouldbesentuponalongjourney.Thatwashisjudgment，lady."

"Yes，butnotallofit;surelyheaddedotherwords？"shebrokeineagerly.

"Headded，"continuedAziel，withsomereluctance，"thatifwhileI

wasonthisjourneytheprincesschangedhermind，andchosetowedmyuncle，itwouldbewell.But，whenIreturnedfromit，ifshehadnotchangedhermind，andchose——tomarryme——thenitwouldbewellalso，and，thoughhewaslittlepleased，withthissayingmyunclemustbesatisfied."

"Itdoesnotsatisfyme，princeAziel，"Elissaanswered，thetearsstartingtoherdarkeyes."Iknowfullwellthattheladywillnotchangehermind，andtakeamanwhoisinyears，andwhomshehates，inplaceofonewhoisyoung，andwhomsheloves.Therefore，whenyoureturnhencetoJerusalem，bytheking’scommandyouwillwedher."

"Nay，Elissa;ifIamalreadymarriedthatcannotbe，"hesaid.

"InJudea，Prince，Iamtoldthatmentakemorewivesthanone;also，theydivorcethem，"shereplied;thenadded，"Oh，returnnottherewhereIshallloseyou.If，indeed，youloveme，Iprayyoureturnnotthere."

Beforehecouldanswer，asoundofsingingandofallsortsofmusiccaughtAziel’sear.Lookingthroughthecasement，hesawagreatprocessionofthepriestsandpriestessesofElandBaaltiscladintheirfestalrobesandaccompaniedbymanydignitariesofthecity，amultitudeofpeopleandbandsofmusicians，advancingacrossthesquaretowardsthedoorofthepalace.

"Why，whatpasses？"heexclaimed.Ashespokethedooropenedandtworichlyarrayedheralds，wandsofofficeintheirhands，enteredandprostratedthemselvesbeforeElissa.

"Greetingtoyou，mostnobleandblessedlady，thechosenofthegods！"theycriedwithonevoice."Prepare，webeseechyou，toheargladtidings，andtoreceivethosewhoaresenttotellthem."

"Gladtidings？"saidElissa."HasIthobalthenwithdrawnhissuit？"

"Nay，lady;itisnotofIthobalthatthemessengerscometospeak."

"ThenIcannotreceivethem，"shesaid，sinkingbackinapprehension.

"Iamstillillandweak，andIpraytobeexcused."

"Nay，lady，"answeredtheherald，"thatwhichtheyhavetotellwillcureyoursickness."

AgainElissaprotested.BeforethewordshadleftherlipsthereappearedinthedoorwayhewhohadbeenhusbandofthedeadBaaltis，followedbypriestsandpriestesses，bySakonherfather，withwhomwasMetem，andmanyothernoblesanddignitaries.

"Allhail，lady！"theycried，prostratingthemselvesbeforeher."Allhail，lady，chosenofthegods！"

Elissalookedatthembewildered.

"Yourpardon，"shesaid，"Idonotunderstand."

Then，risingfromhisknees，hewhowasstilltheShadiduntilhissuccessorwasappointed，addressedherasspokesman.

"Listen，"hesaid，"andlearn，lady，thegreatthingthathasbefallenyou.Know，OdivineOne，thatbytheinspirationofElandBaaltis，rulersoftheheavens，thecollegesofthepriestsandpriestessesofthecity，followingthevoiceoftheoraclesandthepointingoftheomens，havesetyouinthathighplacewhichdeathhasemptied.

Greetingtoyou，holderofthespiritofthegoddess！GreetingtotheBaaltis！"

"Ididnotseekthishonour，"shemurmuredinthesilencethatfollowed，"andIrefuseit.ThethroneofthegoddessisMesa’sright;

lethertakeit，orifshewillnot，thenfindsomeotherwomanwhoismoreworthy."

"Lady，"saidtheShadid，"thesewordsbecomeyouwell，butithaspleasedthegodstochooseyouandnotmydaughter，theladyMesa，oranyotherwoman，andthechoiceofthegodsmaynotbesetaside.Tilldeathshalltakeyou，youandyoualonearetheladyBaaltiswhomweobey."

"MustIthenbemadedivineagainstmywill，"shepleaded，andturnedtoAzielasthoughforcounsel.

"Bepleasedtostandback，princeAziel，"saidthesternvoiceoftheShadid，interposing."RememberthathenceforthnomanmayspeaktotheBaaltissavehewhomshenameswiththenameofShadidtobeherhusband.Henceforwardyouareparted，sincetoseekhercompanywouldbetocauseherdeath."

Nowunderstandingthatthedoomoflife—longseparationhadfallenuponthemlikethesuddenswordoffate，AzielandElissagazedateachotherindespair.Then，beforeeitherofthemcouldspeakaword，atasignfromtheShadid，thepriestessesclosedroundElissa.

Throwingawhiteveiloverherhead，theybrokeintoajoyfulp？anofsong，andhalf—led，half—carriedherfromthechambertoenthroneherinthepalaceofthegoddess，whichwashenceforthtobeherhome.

Presentlyallthecompany，includingthewaitingwomen，havingjoinedtheprocession，thechamberwasempty，withtheexceptionofAziel，MetemandIssachartheLevite，who，drawnbythesoundofsinging，hadenteredtheplaceunnoticed.

"Takecomfort，Prince，"saidthePh？nicianinahalf—banteringvoice，"ifyouandtheladyBaaltisaretrulydeartoeachothershemaystillbeyours，foryouhavebuttobowthekneetoEl，andshewillnameyouShadidandhusband."

"Blasphemenot，"criedIssacharsternly."ShallaworshipperoftheGodofIsraeldosacrificetoademontowinawoman’ssmile？"

"Thattimewillprove，"answeredMetem，shrugginghisshoulders;"atleastitiscertainthathewillwinitinnootherway.Prince，"headded，changinghistone，"ifyouhaveanysuchthoughts，abandonthem，Iprayofyou，foronthismatterthelawmaynotbebroken.Themanspoketruth，moreover，whenhetoldyouthatshouldyoubefoundwiththeBaaltis，notbeingherhusband，youwouldcauseherdeath."

Azieltooknonoticeofhiswords，butturningtotheLevite，heaskedinaquietvoice：——

"Didyouplotthistoseparateus，Issachar？Ifso，youshalllivetomournthedeed."

"Listen，Prince，"brokeinMetem，"itwasnotIssacharwhoplottedthattheladyElissashouldbechosenBaaltis，butI，oratleastI

helpedtheplot.ShallItellyouwhyIdidthis？Itwastosaveyouandher，andifpossibletopreventagreatwaralso.Youcouldnotwedthiswomanwhoisnotofyourrace，orrank，orreligion;andifyoucould，itwouldbringaboutastrugglethatmustcostthousandstheirlives，andthiscityitswealth.Norcouldyoumakeofherlessthanawife，seeingthatsheiswell—bornandthatyouareherfather’sguest.Thereforeforyourownsakeitisbestthatsheshouldbeplacedbeyondyourreach.Forhersakealsoitisbest，sincesheisambitiousandborntorule，whohenceforthwillbeclothedwithpowerforallherdays.Moreover，haditbeenotherwise，intheendshemusthavepassedtothatsavageIthobal，whomshehates.Nowthisisscarcelypossible，fortheladyBaaltiscanwednomanwhoisnotofpurewhiteblood，andwhomshedoesnotchooseofherownfreewill.ThatisadecreewhichmaynotbebrokenevenbyIthobal.Sorevilemenot，butthankme，thoughforalittlewhileyourheartbesore."

"Myheartissoreindeed，"answeredAziel，"andifyouthinkyourwordsbewise，theirmedicinedoesnotsoothe，Ph？nician.YoumayhavelabouredformywelfareandforthatoftheladyElissa，or，likethehucksterthatyouare，foryourownadvantage，orforboth——Iknownot，anddonotcaretoknow.ButthisIknow，thatyou，andIssacharalso，arestrivingtosnareFateinawebofsand，andthatFatewillbetoostrongforitandyou.Ilovethiswomanandshelovesme，becausesuchisourdestiny，andnobarrierswhichmanmaybuildcanservetoseparateus.AlsoofthisIamassured，thatbyyourplotsyoudrawtheevilsyouwouldwardawayupontheheadsofusall，forfromthemshallspringwar，anddeaths，andmisery.

"Fortherest，donotthink，MetemandIssachar，thatI，whomyoubetrayed，andthewomanyouhaveruinedwithacrownofgreatnessshedidnotseek，areclaytobemouldedatyourwill.Itisanotherhandthanyourswhichfashionedthevesselofourdestiny;norcanyoustayourlipsfromdrinkingofthepurewinethatfillsit.Farewell，"andwithagraveinclinationoftheheadhelefttheroom.

Metemwatchedhimgo，thenheturnedtoIssacharandsaid：——

"Ihaveearnedmyhirewell，andyoumustpaytheprice，butnowittroublesmetothinkthatItouchedthisbusiness.WhyitisIcannotsay，butitcomesuponmethattheprincespeakstruth，andthatnoplotofourscanavailtoseparatethesetwowhowereborntoeachother，althoughitwellmayhappenthatweshallunitethemindeathalone.Issachar，"headdedwithfierceconviction，"Iwillnottakeyourgold，foritisthepriceofblood！Itellyouitisthepriceofblood！"

"Takeitorno，asyouwill，Ph？nician，"answeredtheLevite;"atleastIamwellpleasedthatthepromiseofitboughtyourservice.

EvenshouldtheprinceAzieldischargethisday’sworkwithhisyounglife，itisbetterthatheshouldperishinthebodythanthatheshouldlosehissoulforthebribeofawoman’spassingbeauty.

Whateverelsebelost，thatissavedtohim，sincethosesorceresslipsofhersaresetbeyondhisreach.AnIsraelitecannotmatewiththeoracleofBaaltis，Metem."

"Yousayso，Issachar，butIhaveseenmenclimbhightoplucksuchfruit.Yes，Ihaveseenthemclimbevenwhentheyknewthattheymustfallbeforethefruitwasreached."

Thenhewentalso，leavingIssacharaloneandoppressedwithadreadofthefuturewhichwasnonethelessrealbecauseitcouldnotbedefined.

CHAPTERX

THEEMBASSY

Weakasshewasstillwithrecentillness，half—faintingalsofromtheshockoftheterribleandunexpectedfatewhichhadovertakenher，Elissawasborneintriumphtothepalacethatnowwashers.Aroundhergildedlitterpriestessesdancedandsangtheirwildchants，half—

bacchanalianandhalf—religious;beforeitmarchedthepriestsofEl，clashingcymbalsandcrying，"Makeway，makewayforthenew—borngoddess！Makewayforherwhosethroneisuponthehornedmoon！"whileallaboutthemultitudeofspectatorsprostratedthemselvesinworship.

Elissawasborneintriumph.Vaguelysheheardtheshoutsandmusic，dimlyshesawthedancing—girlsandthebowingcrowds.Butallthewhileherheartwasalivewithpainandherbrain，crushedbeneaththemenaceofthismisery，couldgraspnothingclearlysavethecompletenessofherloss.Loss！Yes，shewaslostindeed.Oneshorthouragoandshewasrejoicinginthepresenceofthemansheloved，andwho，asshebelieved，lovedher，whileinhermindrosevisionsofsomehappylifewithhimfarawayfromthiscityandthedarkritesoftheworshippersofBaal.Andnowshefoundherselfthechiefpriestessofthatworshipwhichalreadyshehadlearnedtofearifnottohate.

More，asitspriestess，tilldeathshouldcometocomforther，shewascutoffforeverfromhimwhomsheadored，cutoffalsofromthehopeofthatnewspirituallightwhichhadbeguntodawnuponhersoul.

Elissalookeduponthebeautifulwomenwholeaptandsangaboutherlitter，listeningtotheclashoftheirornamentsofgold，andasshelistenedandlookedhereyesseemedtogainpowertobeholdthespiritswithinthem.Surelyshecouldseethese，darkandhideousthings，withshiftingcountenances，terribletolookon，andthemselveswearingintheireyesofflameastampofeternalterror，whileinherearsthemusicoftheirgoldennecklaceswaschangedtoaclankasoffettersandofinstrumentsoftorment.Yes;andtherebeforethedancersintheredcloudofdustwhichrosefromtheirbeatingfeet，floatedthedimshapeofthatdemonofwhomshehadbeenchosenthehigh—priestess.

Lookathermocking，inhumancountenance，andherbentbrowofpower！

Lookatherspreadandflaminghairandherhundredhandsoutstretchedtograspthesoulsofmen！Hark！theclamourofthecymbalsandthecryofthedancersblendedtogetherandbecamehervoice，adreadfulvoicethatgavegreetingtoherprincess，promisingherprideofplaceandlife—longpowerinpaymentforherservice.

"Idesirenoneofthese，"herheartseemedtoanswer;"IdesirehimonlywhomIhavelost."

"Isitso？"repliedtheVoice."Thenbidhimburnincenseuponmyaltarandtakehimtoyourself.HaveInotgivenyouenoughofbeautytosnareasinglesoulfromamongtheservantsofmyenemytheGodoftheJews？"

"Nay，nay！"herheartcried;"Iwillnottempthimtodothisevilthing."

"Yea，yea！"mockedthephantomVoice;"foryoursakeheshallburnincenseuponmyaltar."