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."