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.\"