Thephantasypassed，andnowthegoldengatesofthepalaceofBaaltisrolledopenbeforeElissa.Now，too，thepriestessesborehertothegoldenthroneshapedlikeacrescentmoon，andthrewoverherablackveilspangledwithstars，symbolofthenight.Thenhavingshutouttheuninitiated，theyworshippedheraftertheirsecretfashiontillshesankdownuponthethroneovercomewithfearandweariness.Thenatlasttheycarriedhertothatwonderofworkmanshipandallegoricalart，theivorybedofBaaltis，andlaidherdowntosleep.
　　Atdawnuponthefollowingdayanembassy，headedbySakon，governorofthecity，inwhosetrainwereMetemandAziel，wenttothecampofIthobal.Themissionoftheseenvoyswastogivethekinganswertohissuit，forherefusedtocometoZimboeunlesshewereallowedtobringalargerforcethanitwasthoughtprudenttoadmitintothecitygates.Atsomedistancefromthetentstheyhalted，whilemessengersweresentforwardinvitingIthobaltoaconferenceontheplain，asitseemedscarcelysafetotrustthemselveswithinthestoutthornfencewhichhadbeenbuiltaboutthecamp.Metem，whosaidthathehadnofearoftheking，wentwiththesemen，andonreachingthe/zeriba/wasatoncebiddentothepavilionofIthobal.Hefoundthegreatmanpacingitslengthsullenly.
　　"Whatseekyouhere，Ph？nician？"heasked，glancingathimoverhisshoulder.
　　"Myfee，King.ThekingwaspleasedtopromisemeahundredouncesofgoldifIsavedthelifeoftheLadyElissa.Icome，therefore，toassurehimthatmyskillhasprevailedagainstthepoisonedarrowofthattreacherousdogofthedesert，whichpiercedherhandasshespokewiththeprinceAzieltheothernight，andtoclaimmyreward.
　　Hereisanoteoftheamount，"andheproducedhistablets.
　　"IfhalfofwhatIhearistrue，rogue，"answeredIthobalsavagely，"thetormentorandtheheadsmanalonecouldsatisfyallmydebttoyou.Say，merchant，whatreturnhaveyoumademeforthatsackfulofgoldwhichyouborehencesomefewdaysgone？"
　　"Thebestofallreturns，King，"answeredMetemcheerfully，althoughintruthhebegantofeelafraid."Ihavekeptmyword，andfulfilledthecommandoftheking.IhavemadeitimpossiblethattheprinceAzielshouldwedthedaughterofSakon."
　　"Yes，rogue，youhavemadeitimpossiblebycausinghertobeconsecratedBaaltis，andthusbuildingabarrierwhichevenIshallfindtoohardtoclimb.Itisscarcelytobehopedthatnowshewillchoosemeofherownwill，andtoofferviolencetotheBaaltisisasacrilegefromwhichanyman——yes，evenaking——mayshrink，forsuchdeedsdrawthecurseofHeaven.KnowthatforthisserviceIammindedtosettlemyaccountwithyouinafashionofwhichyouhavenotthought.Haveyouheard，Ph？nician，thatthechiefsofcertainofmytribeslovetodecoratetheirspear—shaftswiththehideofwhitemen，andtobraytheirfleshintoamedicinewhichgivescouragetoitseater？"
　　WiththispleasingandsuggestivequeryIthobalpaused，andlookedtowardsthedoorofthetentasthoughhewereabouttocallhisguard.
　　NowMetem’sbloodrancold，forheknewthatthisroyalsavagewasnotonewhoutteredidlethreats.Yetthecoolnessandcunningwhichhadsooftenservedhimwelldidnotfailhiminhisneed.
　　"Ihaveheardthatyourpeoplehavestrangecustoms，"heansweredwithalaugh，"butIthinkthatevenaspear—shaftwouldscarcelygainbeautyfrommywrinkledhide，andifanything，theeatingofmyfleshwouldmaketradesmenandnotwarriorsofyourchiefs.Well，letthejestpass，andlisten.King，inallmyschemingsonethoughtnevercrossedmymind，namely，thatyouwereamantosufferscruplestostandbetweenyouandthewomanyouwouldwin.Youthinkthatnowsheisagoddess？Well，ifthatbeso——anditisnotformetosay——whocouldbeafittermateforthegreatestkingupontheearththanagoddessfromtheheavens？Takeher，kingIthobal，takeher，andthisI
　　promiseyou，thatwhenyourarmiesareencampedwithoutthewalls，thepriestsofElwillabsolveyouofthecrimeofaspiringtothefairlipsofBaaltis."
　　"ThelipsofBaaltis，"brokeinIthobal;"doyouthinkthatIshallfindthemsweetwhenanothermanhasrifledthem？Secretchambersaremanyyonderinthepalaceofthegods，anddoubtlesstheJewwillfindhiswaythere."
　　"Nay，King，forbetweenthesetwoIhaveindeedbuiltawallwhichcannotbeclimbed.TheworshipperoftheLordofIsraelmaynottrafficwiththehigh—priestessofAshtoreth.Moreover，IshallbringitaboutthaterelongPrinceAziel’sfaceissetseawards."
　　"Dothat，andIwillbelieveyou，merchant，thoughitwouldbebetterifyoucouldbringitaboutthathisfacewassetearthwards，asI
　　willifIcan.Well，thistimeIspareyou，thoughbesurethatifaughtmiscarry，youshallpaytheprice，how，Ihavetoldyou.NowI
　　gototalkwiththesetraders，theseoutlanders，ofZimboe.Whydoyouwait？Youaredismissedand——alive."
　　Metemlookedsteadilyatthetabletswhichhestillheldinhishand.
　　"Ihaveheard，"hesaidhumbly，"thatthekingIthobal，thegreatking，alwayspayshisdebts，andasI——anoutlander——shallbeleavingZimboeshortlyunderhissafeconduct，Idesiretoclosethissmallaccount."
　　Ithobalwenttothedoorofhistentandcommandedthathistreasurershouldattendhim，bringingmoney.Presentlyhecame，andathislord’sbiddingweighedoutonehundredouncesofgold.
　　"Youareright，Ph？nician，"saidIthobal;"Ialwayspaymydebts，sometimesingoldandsometimesiniron.BecarefulthatIoweyounomore，lestyouwhoto—dayarepaidingold，to—morrowmayreceivetheiron，weighedoutinthefashionofwhichIhavespoken.Now，begone."
　　Metemgatheredupthetreasure，andhidingitinhisamplerobe，bowedhimselffromtheroyalpresenceandoutofthethorn—hedgedcamp.
　　"WithoutdoubtIhavebeenindanger，"hesaidtohimself，wipinghisbrow，"sinceatonetimethatblackbrute，disregardingthesanctityofanenvoy，haditinhismindtotortureandtokillme.So，so，kingIthobal，MetemthePh？nicianisalsoanhonestmerchantwho’alwayspayshisdebts，’asyoumaylearninthemarket—placesofJerusalem，ofSidonandofZimboe，andIoweyouaheavybillforthefrightyouhavegivenmeto—day.LittleofElissa’scompanyshallyouhaveifIcanhelpit;sheistoogoodforacross—bredsavage，andifbeforeIgofromthesebarbarianlandsIcansetadropofmedicineinyourwine，oranarrowinyourgizzard，uponthewordofMetemthePh？nician，itshallbedone，kingIthobal."
　　WhenMetemreachedSakonandtheenvoys，hefoundthatamessagehadalreadybeensenttothemannouncingthatIthobalwouldmeetthempresentlyupontheplainoutsidehiscamp.Butstillthekingdidnotcome;indeed，itwasnotuntilSakonhaddespatchedanothermessenger，sayingthathewasabouttoreturntothecity，thatatlengthIthobalappearedattheheadofabodyguardofblacktroops.Arrangingtheseinlineinfrontofthecamp，hecameforward，attendedbytwelveorfourteencounsellorsandgenerals，allofthemunarmed.Half—waybetweenhisownlineandthatofthePh？nicians，butoutofbowshotofeither，hehalted.
　　ThereonSakon，accompaniedbyasimilarnumberofpriestsandnobles，amongwhomwereAzielandMetem，allofthemalsounarmed，exceptfortheknivesintheirgirdles，marchedouttomeethim.Theirescorttheyleftdrawnupuponthehillside.
　　"Letustobusiness，King，"saidSakon，whentheformalwordsofsalutationhadpassed."Wehavewaitedlonguponyourpleasure，andalreadytroopsmoveoutfromthecitytolearnwhathasbefallenus."
　　"DotheythenfearthatIshouldambushambassadors？"askedIthobalhotly."Fortherest，isitnotrightthatservantsshouldbideatthedooroftheirkingtillitishispleasuretoopen？"
　　"Iknownotwhattheyfear，"answeredSakon，"butatleastwefearnothing，forwearetoomany，"andheglancedathissoldiers，athousandstrong，uponthehillside."NorarethecitizensofZimboetheservantsofanymanunlesshebethekingofTyre."
　　"Thatweshallputtoproof，Sakon，"saidIthobal;"butsay，whatdoestheJewwithyou？"andhepointedtoAziel."IshealsoanenvoyfromZimboe？"
　　"Nay，King，"answeredtheprincelaughing，"butmygrandsire，themightyrulerofIsrael，chargedmealwaystotakenoteofthewaysofsavagesinpeaceandwar，thatImightlearnhowtodealwiththem.
　　Therefore，IsoughtleavetoaccompanySakonuponthisembassy."
　　"Peace，peace！"brokeinSakon."Thisisnotimeforgibes.KingIthobal，sinceyoudidnotdaretoventureyourselfagainwithinthewallsofourcity，wehavecometoanswerthedemandsyoumadeuponusintheHallofAudience.Youdemandedthatourfortificationsshouldbethrowndown，andthiswerefuse，sincewedonotcourtdestruction.
　　Youdemandedthatweshouldceasetoenslavementolabourinthemines，andtothisweanswerthatforeverymanwetakewewillpayataxtohislawfulchief，ortoyouasking.Youdemandedthattheancienttributeshouldbedoubled.Tothis，outofloveandfriendship，andnotfromfear，weassent，ifyouwillenterintoabondoflastingpeace，sinceitispeaceweseek，andnotwar.King，youhaveouranswer."
　　"Notallofit，Sakon.Howofthatfirstcondition——thatLadyElissathefair，yourdaughter，shouldbegivenmetowife？"
　　"King，itcannotbe，forthegodsofheavenhavetakenthismatterfromourhands，anointingtheladyElissatheirhigh—priestess."
　　"ThenasIlive，"answeredIthobalwithfury，"Iwilltakeherfromthehandsofthegodsandanointhermydancing—woman.Doyouthinktomakeamockofme，youpeopleofZimboe，whomIhavehonouredbydesiringoneofyourdaughtersinmarriage？Youseektotrickmewithyourpriests’jugglingthatyoumaykeephertobethetoyofyonderprinceling？Sobeit，butItellyouthatIwilltearyourcitystonefromstone，andanointitsruinswithyourblood.Yes，youryoungmenshalllabourintheminesforme，andyourhigh—bornmaidensshallwaituponmyqueens.Listen，you"——andheturnedtohisgenerals——"Letthemessengerswhoarereadystarteastandwest，andnorthandsouth，tothechiefswhosenamesyouhave，biddingthemtomeetmewiththeirtribesmen，atthetimeandplaceappointed.WhennextIspeakwithyou，EldersofZimboe，itshallbeattheheadofahundredthousandwarriors."
　　"Then，King，onyourhandsbealltheinnocentlivesthatthesewordsofyourshavedoomed，andmaytheweightoftheirwastedbloodpressyoudowntoruinanddeath."
　　ThusansweredSakonproudly，butwithpalelips，fordowhattheywouldtohideit，somethingofthefeartheyfeltfortheissueofthiswarwaswrittenonthefacesofallhiscompany.
　　Ithobalturneduponhisheel，deigningnoreply，butashewenthewhisperedawordintotheearoftwoofhiscaptains，greatmenofwar，whostayedbehindtherestofhispartysearchingforsomethingupontheground.Sakonandhiscounsellorsalsoturned，walkingtowardstheirescort，butAziellingeredalittle，fearingnodanger，andbeingcurioustolearnwhatthemensought.
　　"Whatdoyouseek，captains？"heaskedcourteously.
　　"Agoldarmletthatoneofushaslost，"theyanswered.
　　Aziellethiseyeswanderontheground，andnotfarawayperceivedthearmlethalf—hiddeninatussockofdrygrass，where，indeed，ithadbeenplaced.
　　"Isthisthering？"heasked，liftingitandholdingittowardsthem.
　　"Itis，andwethankyou，"theyanswered，advancingtotaketheornament.
　　Thenextmoment，beforeAzielevenguessedtheirpurpose，thecaptainshadgrippedhimbyeitherarmandweredragginghimatfullspeedtowardstheircamp.Understandingtheirtreacheryandthegreatnessofhisdanger，hecriedaloudforhelp.Thenthrowinghimselfswiftlytotheground，hesethisfeetagainstastonethatchancedtolieintheirpathinsuchfashionthatthesuddenweighttorehisrightarmfromthegroupofthemanthatheldhim.Now，quickasthought，Azieldrewthedaggerfromhisgirdle，and，stilllyinguponhisback，plungeditintotheshoulderofthesecondmansothatheloosedhiminhispain.Nexthesprangtohisfeet，and，leapingtoonesidetoescapetherushofhiscaptors，ranlikeadeertowardsthepartyofSakon，whohadwheeledroundatthesoundofhiscry.
　　Ithobalandhismenhadturnedalsoandspedtowardsthem，butatalittledistancetheyhalted，thekingshoutingaloud：——
　　"Idesiredtoholdthisforeigner，whoisthecauseofwarbetweenus，hostageforyourdaughter’ssake，Sakon，butthistimehehasescapedme.Well，itmattersnothing，forsoonmyturnwillcome.Therefore，ifyouandhearewise，youwillsendhimbacktothesea，forthitheraloneIpromisehimsafeconduct."
　　Thenwithoutmorewordshewalkedtohiscamp，thegatesofwhichwereclosedbehindhim.
　　"PrinceAziel，"saidSakon，astheywenttowardsthecity，"itisilltospeaksuchwordstoanhonouredguest，butitcannotbedeniedthatyoubringmuchtroubleonmyhead.TwicenowyouhavenearlyperishedatthehandsofIthobal，andshouldthatchance，doubtlessImustearnthewrathofIsrael.Onyourbehalf，also，thecityofZimboeisthisdayplungedintoawarthatwellmaybeherlast，sinceitisbecauseyouhavegrownsuddenlydeartoherthatmydaughterhascontinuedtorefusethesuitofIthobal，andbecauseofhisoutragedprideatthisrefusalthathehasraisedupthenationsagainstus.Prince，whileyouremaininthiscitythereisnohopeofpeace.Donot，therefore，hateme，yourservant，ifIprayofyoutoleaveuswhilethereisyettime."
　　"Sakon，"answeredAziel，"Ithankyouforyouropenspeech，andwillpayyoubackinwordsashonestasyourown.GladlywouldIgo，forherenothingbutsorrowhasbefallenme，wereitnotforonethingwhichtoyoumayseemlittle，buttome，andperhapstoanother，isallinall.IloveyourdaughterasIhaveneverlovedawomanbefore，andasmymindistohers，soisherstomine.How，then，canIgohencewhenthegoingmeansthatImustpartfromherforever？"
　　"Howcanyoustayhere，Prince，whenthestayingmeansthatyoumustbringhertoshameanddeath，andyourselfwithher？Saynow，areyouprepared，forthesakeofthismaiden，toabandontheworshipofyourfathersandtobecometheservantofElandBaaltis？"
　　"YouknowwellthatIamnotsoprepared，Sakon.FornothingthattheworldcouldgivemewouldIdothissin."
　　"Then，Prince，itisbestthatyoushouldgo，forthatandnootheristhepriceyoumustpayifyouwouldwinmydaughterElissa.Shouldyouseektodosobyothermeans，Itellyouthatneitheryourhighranknorthepowerofmyruleandfriendship，norpityforyouryouthandhers，cansaveyoubothfromdeath，sincetoforgiveyouthenwouldbetobringdownthewrathofitsoutragedgodsuponZimboe.Oh！Prince，foryourownsakeandforthesakeofherwhombothyouandIlovethusdearly，lingernolongerintemptation，butturnyourbackuponitasabravemanshould，forsoshallmyblessingfollowyoutothegraveandyouryearsbefilledwithhonour."
　　Azielcoveredhiseyeswithhishand，andthoughtawhile;thenheanswered：——
　　"Beitasyouwill，friend.Igo，butIgobroken—hearted."
　　CHAPTERXI
　　METEMSELLSIMAGES
　　Uponreachingthepalace，AzielwenttotheapartmentsofIssachar.
　　Findingnokeeperatthedoor，heentered，todiscovertheoldpriestkneelinginprayeratthewindow，whichfacedtowardsJerusalem.SoabsorbedwasheinhisdevotionsthatitwasnotuntilhehadendedthemandrisenthatIssacharsawAzielstandinginthechamber.
　　"Behold，ananswertomyprayer，"hesaid."Myson，theytoldmethatsomefreshdangerhadovertakenyou，thoughnoneknewitsissue.
　　ThereforeitwasthatIprayed，andnowIseeyouunharmed."Andtakinghiminhisarms，heembracedhim.
　　"ItistruethatIhavebeenindanger，father，"answeredAziel，andhetoldhimthestoryofhisescapefromIthobal.
　　"DidInotpraytheenottoaccompanythisembassy？"
　　"Yes，father，yetIhavereturnedinsafety.Listen：Icomewithtidingswhichyouwillthinkgood.NotanhouragoIpromisedSakonthatIwouldleaveZimboe，whereitseemsmypresencebreedsmuchtrouble."
　　"Goodtidings，indeed！"exclaimedIssachar，"andnevershallIknowapeacefulhouruntilwehaveseenthelastofthetowersofthisdoomedcityanditsaccursedpeopleofdevil—worshippers."
　　"Yes，goodforyou，father，butformemostill，forhereIshallleavemyyouthandhappiness.Nay，Iknowwhatyouthink;thatthisisbutsomepassingfancybredofthepleasantbeautyofawoman，butitisnotso.IsaythatfromthemomentwhenfirstIsawElissa，shebecamelifeofmylife，andsoulofmysoulandthatIgohencebeggaredofjoyandhope，andcarryingwithmeacankeringmemorywhichshalleatmyheartaway.Youdeemherawitch，onetowhomBaaltishasgivenpowertodragthemindsofmentotheirdestruction，butItellyouthatheronlyspellisthespellofherloveforme，alsothatshewhomyounamedsogrosslyisnolongertheservantofthedemonBaaltis."
　　"ElissanottheservantofBaaltis？Howcomesshethentobeherhigh—
　　priestess？Aziel，yourpassionhasmadeyoumad."
　　’Sheishigh—priestessbecauseMetemandothersbroughtaboutherelectionwithoutherwill，urgedontoitbyIknownotwhom."AndhelookedhardatIssachar，whoturnedaway."Butwhatmattersitwhodidtheilldeed，"hecontinued，"sincethis，atleast，iscertain，thatheremypresencebreedssorrowandbloodshed，andthereforeImustgoasIhavepromised."
　　"Whendowedepart，Prince？"queriedIssachar.
　　"Iknownot，itisnaughttome.HerecomesMetem，askofhim."
　　"Metem，"saidtheLevite，"theprincedesirestoleaveZimboeandmarchtothecoast，theretotakeshiptoTyre.Whencanyourcaravanbeready？"
　　"SoIhaveheard，Issachar，forSakontellsmethathehascometoanagreementwiththeprinceuponthismatter.Well，Iamgladtolearnit，fortroublesthickenhere，andIthinkthatthewoeyouprophesiedisnotfarfromthiscityofZimboewhereeverymanseekstoservehisownhand，andisreadytosellhisneighbour.Whencanthecaravanbegotready？Well，thenightafternext;atleast，wecanstartthatnight.To—morrowevening，sosoonasthesunisdown，Iwillsendonthecamelsbyonesandtwos，andwiththemthebaggageandtreasure，toasecretplaceIknowofinthemountains，whereweandtheprince’sguardcanfollowuponthemulesandjointhem.Asitchances，IhaveasafeconductfromIthobal.StillIshouldnotwishtoputhistroopsintotemptationbymarchingthroughthemwithtwentyladencamels，ortolosecertainearningsofmyownthatwillbehiddeninthebaggage.Moreover，ifourdeparturebecomesknown，halfthecitywouldwishtojoinus，havingnoloveofsoldiering，andmisdoubtingthemmuchoftheissueofthiswarwithIthobal."
　　"Asyouwill，"saidIssachar，"youarecaptainofthecaravan，andchargedwiththesafetyoftheprinceuponhisjourneyings.Iamreadywheneveryouappoint，andthequickerthathourcomes，themorepraiseyouwillhavefromme."
　　"Comewithme，Iwishtospeakwithyou，"saidAzieltothePh？nicianastheyleftthepresenceofIssachar."Listen，"headded，whentheyhadreachedhischamber，"weleavethiscitysoon，andIhavefarewellstomake."
　　"TotheBaaltis？"suggestedMetem.
　　"TotheladyElissa.Idesiretosendheraletteroffarewell;canyoudeliveritintoherownhand？"
　　"Itmaybemanaged，Prince，ataprice——nay，fromyouIasknoprice.
　　IhavestillsomeimagesthatIwishtosell，andwemerchantsgoeverywhere，evenintothepresenceoftheBaaltisifitpleaseshertoadmitthem.WriteyourscrollandIwilltakeit，though，tobeplain，itisnotataskwhichIshouldhavesought."
　　SoAzielwroteslowlyandwithcare.ThenhavingsealedthewritinghegaveittoMetem.
　　"Yourfaceissat，Prince，"hesaid，ashehiditinhisrobe，"but，believeme，youaredoingwhatisrightandwise."
　　"Itmaybeso，"answeredAziel，"yetIwouldratherdiethandoit，andmaymycurselieheavyupontheheadsofthosewhohavesowroughtthatitmustbedone.Now，Iprayyou，deliverthisscrollintothehandsofheryouknow，andbringmetheansweriftherebeany，betrayingittonone，forIwilldoublewhateversumisofferedforthattreachery."
　　"Havenofear，Prince，"saidMetemquietly，butwithouttakingoffence，"thiserrandisundertakenforfriendship，notforprofit.
　　Theriskisminealone;thegain——orloss——isyours."
　　AnhourlaterthePh？nicianstoodinthepalaceofthegods，demanding，underpermitfromSakon，governorofthecity，tobeadmittedintothepresenceoftheBaaltis，towhomhedesiredtosellcertainsacredimagescunninglyfashionedingold.Presentlyitwasannouncedthathewasallowedtoapproach，andtheofficersofthetempleledhimthroughguardedpassages，totheprivatechambersofthepriestesses.HerehefoundElissainalong，lowhall，sweetwithscentedwoods，richwithgold，andsupportedbypillarsofcedar.
　　Shewasseatedaloneatthefarendofthishall，beneaththewindow—
　　plate，cladinherwhiterobesofoffice，richlybroideredwithemblemsofthemoon.Herwomen，mostofwhomwereemployedinneedle—
　　work，thoughsomewhisperedidlytoeachother，weregatheredatthelowerendofthehallneartoitsdoor.
　　Metemsalutedthemasheentered，andtheydetainedhim，answeringhisgreetingbyrequestsfornewsandwithjests，nottoorefined，orbydemandsforpresentsofjewels，inreturnforwhichtheypromisedhimtheblessingsofthegoddess.Toeachhemadesomeaptreply，foreventhepriestessesofBaaltiscouldnotabashMetem.Butwhilehebandiedwords，hisquickeyesnotedoneoftheirnumberwhodidnotjoininthisplay.Shewasaspare，thin—lippedwomanwhomheknewforMesa，thedaughterofthedeadBaaltis，whohadbeenarivalcandidateforthethroneofthehigh—priestesswhenElissawaschoseninherplace.
　　WhenheenteredthehallMesawasseateduponacanvasstool，alittleapartfromtheothers，herchinrestinguponherhand，staringwithanevillooktowardstheplacewhereElissawasenthroned.Nordidherfacegrowmoregentleatthesightofthecunningmerchant，forsheknewwellitwasthroughhisplotsandbriberythatshehadbeenoustedfromhermother’splace.
　　"Awomantobefeared，"thoughtMetemtohimselfas，shakingoffthepriestesses，hepassedheruponhiswayupthelongchamber.Presentlyhehadreachedtheendofit，andwassalutingthepresenceoftheBaaltisbykneelingandtouchingthecarpetwithhisbrow.
　　"Rise，Metem，"saidElissa，"andsetoutyourbusiness，forthehourofthesunsetprayerisathand，andIcannottalklongwithyou."
　　Soherose，and，lookingatherwhilehelaidouthisstoreofimages，sawthatherfacewassad，andthathereyeswerefullofastrangefear.
　　"Lady，"hesaid，"onthesecondnightfromnowIdepartfromthiscityofyours，andgladshallIbetoleaveitliving.ThereforeIhavebroughtyouthesefourpricelessimagesofthemostsplendidworkmanshipofTyre，thinkingthatitmightpleaseyoutopurchasethemfortheserviceofthegoddess."
　　"Youdepart，"shewhispered;"alone？"
　　"Nolady，notalone;theholyIssachargoeswithme，alsotheescortoftheprinceAziel——andtheprincehimself，whosepresenceisnolongerdesiredinZimboe."Herehestopped，forhesawthatElissawasabouttobetrayheragitation，andwhispered，"Benotfoolish，foryouarewatched;Ihavealetterforyou.Lady，"hecontinuedinaloudervoice，"ifitwillpleaseyoutoexaminethispreciousimageinthelight，youwillnolongerhesitateorthinkthepricetoohigh，"andbowinglowheledthewaybehindthethrone，whitherElissafollowedhim.
　　Nowtheywerestandingbeneaththewindow—place，whichtheyfaced，andhiddenfromthegazeofthewomenbythegildedbackofthehighseat.
　　"Here，"hesaid，thrustingtheparchmentintoherhand，"readquickly，andreturnittome."
　　Shesnatchedtherollfromhim，andashereyesdevouredthelines，herfacefellin，andherlipsgrewpalewithanguish.
　　"Bebrave，"murmuredMetem，forhisheartwasstirredtopity;"itisbestforallthatheshouldgo."
　　"Forhim，perchanceitisbest，"sheanswered;aswithanunwillinghandshegavehimbacktheletterwhichshedarednotkeep，"butwhatofme？Oh！Metem，whatofme？"
　　"Lady，"hesaidsadly，"Ihavenowordstosootheyoursorrowsavethatthegodshavewilleditthus."
　　"Whatgods？"sheaskedfiercely;"notthosetheybidmeworship."Sheshuddered，thenwenton，"Metem，bepitiful！Oh！ifeveryouhavelovedawoman，orhavebeenlovedofone，forhersakebepitiful.I
　　mustseehimforthelasttimeinfarewell，andyoucanhelpmetoit."
　　"I！InthenameofBaal，how？"
　　"Whendoyouhavetoleavethecity，Metem？"
　　"Atmoonriseonthenightafternext."
　　"ThenanhourbeforemoonriseIwillbeinthetemple，whitherIcancomebythesecretwaythatleadsthitherfromthispalace，andhecanenterthere，forthelittlegateshallbeleftunbarred.Prayhimtomeetme，then——forthelasttime."
　　"Lady，"heurged，"thisisbutmadness，andIrefuse.Youmustfindanothermessenger."
　　"Madnessornotitismywill，andbewarehowyouthwartmeinit，Metem，foratleastIamtheLadyBaaltis，andhavepowertokillwithoutquestion.IsweartoyouthatifIdonotseehim，youshallneverleavethiscityliving."
　　"Ashrewdargument，andtothepoint，"saidMetemreflectively."Well，Ihavepreparedmyselfarock—hewntombatTyre，anddonotwishthatmygravensarcophagusofbestEgyptianalabastershouldbewasted，orsoldtosomeupstartforasong."
　　"Asassuredlyitwillbe，ifyoudonotobeymeinthismatter，Metem.
　　Remember——anhourbeforemoonrise，atthefootofthepillarofElintheinnercourtofthetemple."
　　AsshespokeMetemstarted，forhisquickearshadcaughtasound.
　　"OQueendivine，"hesaidinaloudvoice，asheledthewaytothefrontofthethrone，"youareahardbargainer！Weretheremanysuch，apoortradercouldnotmakealiving.Ah！hereisonewhoknowsthevalueofsuchpricelessworksofart，"andhepointedtoMesa，who，withfoldedarmsanddowncasteyes，stoodwithinfivepacesofthethrone，asnear，indeed，ascustomallowedhertoapproach."Lady，"hewentonaddressingyou，"youwillhaveheardthepriceIasked;say，now，isittoomuch？"
　　"Ihaveheardnothing，sir.Istandhere，waitingthereturnofmyholymistressthatImayremindherthatthehourofsunsetprayerisathand."
　　"WouldthatIhadsofairamentor，"exclaimedMetem，"forthenI
　　shouldloselesstime."Buttohimselfhesaid，"She/has/heardsomething，thoughIthinkbutlittle，"thenaddedaloud："Welljudgebetweenus，lady.IsfiftygoldenshekelstoomuchfortheseimageswhichhavebeenblessedandsprinkledwiththebloodofchildrenbythehighpriestofBaalatSidon？"
　　Mesaliftedhercoldeyesandlookedatthem."Ithinkittoomuch，"
　　shesaid，"butitisfortheladyBaaltistojudge.WhoamIthatI
　　shouldopenmylipsinthepresenceoftheladyBaaltis？"
　　"Ihaveappealedtotheoracle，andithasspokenagainstme，"saidMetem，wringinghishandsinaffecteddismay."Well，Iabidetheresult.Queen，youofferedmefortyshekelsandforfortyyoushalltakethem，forthehonouroftheholygods，thoughintruthIlosetenshekelsbythebargain.Giveyourordertothetreasurer，andhewillpaymeto—morrow.Sonowfarewell，"andbowingtillhisforeheadtouchedtheground，hekissedthehemofherrobe.
　　Elissabentherheadinacknowledgmentofthesalute，andasherosehereyesmethis.Inthemwaswrittenawarningwhichhecouldnotfailtounderstand，andalthoughshedidnotspeak，herlipsseemedtoshapetheword，"Remember."
　　TenminuteslaterMetemstoodinthechamberofAziel.
　　"Hassheseentheletter，andwhatdidsheanswer？"askedtheprince，springingupalmostashepassedthethreshold.
　　"InthenameofallthegodsofallthenationsIprayyounottospeaksoloud，"answeredMetemwhenhehadclosedthedoorandlookedsuspiciouslyabouthim."Oh！ifeverIfindmyselfsafeinTyreagain，Ivowagift，andnomeanone，toeachofthemthathasatemplethere，andtheyaremany;fornosinglegodisstrongenoughtobringmesafeoutofthistrouble.HaveIseentheladyElissa？Oh，yes，I
　　haveseenher.Andwhatthinkyouthatthisinnocentlamb，thisundefileddoveofyours，threatensmewithnow？Death！nothinglessthandeath，ifIwillnotcarryoutherfoolishwishes.More，shemeansthethreat，andhasthestrengthtofulfilit，fortotheladyBaaltisisgivenpoweroverthelivesofmen，orattheleast，ifshetakeslifenonequestiontheauthorityofthegoddess.UnlessIdoherwillIamadeadman，andthatistherewardIgetformixingmyselfupinyourmadloveaffairs."
　　"Hold！"brokeinAziel，"andtellme，man，whatisherwill？"
　　"Herwillis——whatdoyouthink？Tomeetyouinfarewellanhourbeforeyouleavethiscity.Well，asmythroatisatstake，byBaal！
　　itshallbegratifiedifIcanfindthemeans，thoughItellyouthatitismadnessandnothingelse.Butlistentothestory————"andherepeatedallthathadpassed."Now，"headded，"areyoureadytotaketherisk，Prince？"
　　"IshouldbeacowardindeedifIdidnot，"answeredAziel，"whenshe，awoman，daresaheavier."
　　"AndIamacoward，thatiswhyItakeit，forotherwiseIalsomustdareaheavier.ButwhatofIssachar？Thismeetingcanscarcelybekeptasecretfromhim."
　　Azielthoughtawhileandsaid：——
　　"Gofetchhimhere."SoMetemwent，toreturnpresentlywiththeLevite，towhom，withoutfurtherado，theprincetoldall，hidingnothing.
　　Issacharlistenedinsilence.WhenbothAzielandMetemhaddonespeaking，hesaid：——
　　"Atleast，Ithankyou，Prince，forbeingopenwithme;andnowwithoutmorewordsIprayyoutoabandonthisrashplan，whichcanendonlyinpain，andperhapsindeath."
　　"Abandonitnot，Prince，"interruptedMetem，"seeingthatifyoudoitwillcertainlyendinmydeath，forthegirlismad，andwillhaveherway.Orifshedoesnot，thenImustpaytheprice."
　　"Havenofear，"answeredAzielsmiling."Issachar，thismustbedoneor————"
　　"Orwhat，Prince？"
　　"Iwillnotleavethecity.ItistruethatSakonmaythrustmefromit，butitshallbeasadeadman.Nay，wastenowords，sinceshedesiresit;ImustandwillmeettheLadyElissaforthelasttime，notaslovermeetslover，butasthosemeetwhopartforeverintheworld."
　　"Yousayso，Prince;thenhaveIyourpermissiontoaccompanyyou？"
　　"Yes，ifyouwishit，Issachar;butthereisdanger."
　　"Danger！WhatcareIfordanger？ThewillofHeavenbedonetome.Sobeit，wewillgotogether，buttheendofitisnotwithus."
　　CHAPTERXII
　　THETRYST
　　Twodayshadgoneby，andattheappointedhourthreefigures，wrappedindarkcloaks，mighthavebeenseenwalkingswiftlytowardsthelittleentranceofthetemplefortress.Althoughitwasneartomidnightthecitywasstillastirwithmen，forthisveryeveningnewshadreacheditthatIthobalwasadvancingattheheadoftensofthousandsofthewarriorsoftheTribes.More，itwasrumouredfreelythatwithinthenextfewdaysthesiegeofZimboewouldbegin.Lateasitwas，thecouncilhadbeenjustsummonedtothepalaceofSakontoconsidertheconductofthedefence，whileineverystreetstoodknotsofmenengagedinanxiousdiscussion，andfrommanyasmithyrosethesoundofarmourersattheirwork.Heremarchedpartiesofsoldiersofvariousraces，therecamelongstringsofmulesladenwithdriedfleshandgrain;yonderawomanbeatherbreast，andweptloudlybecauseherthreesonshadbeenimpressedbyorderofthecouncil，twoofthemtoserveasarchersandthethirdtocarryblocksofstoneforthefortifications.
　　Passingunnoticedthroughallthiscrowdandtumult，Aziel，IssacharandMetementeredawindingpassageinthetemplewall，andcametothelittlegate.Metemtriedit，andwhispered：——
　　"Shehaskeptherword;itisunlocked.Nowentertoyourlove—tryst，holyIssachar."
　　"Doyounotcomewithus？"askedtheLevite.
　　"No，Iamtoooldforsuchadventures.Listen，Igotomakeready.
　　Withinanhourthemuleswiththeprince’sbodyguardwillstandinthearchwaynearthesmallgateofthepalace，forbynowthebaggageanditsescortawaitusaday’smarchfromthisaccursedcity.Willyoumeetmethere？No;IthinkitisbestthatIshouldcometoyourchamberstofetchyou，and，Iprayyou，lettherebenodelay，foritisdangerousinmanyways.Whenoncetheprincehasdonewithhistenderinterview，andwipedawayhistears，thereshouldbenothingtostayhim，sincethefarewellcupwithSakonhasbeenalreadydrunk.
　　Enternowswiftlybeforesomeprowlingpriesthappensuponyou，andpraythatyoumaycomeoutassoundasyougoin.Oh！whatasight！A
　　princeofIsraelandanagedLeviteofestablishedreputationgoingtokeepatrystatmidnightwiththehigh—priestessofBaaltisinthesanctuaryofhergod！Nay，answernot;thereisnotime"——andhewasgone.
　　Havingpassedthegate，AzielandIssacharcreptdownthewindingpassagesofstone，gropingtheirpathbysuchlightasfellfromthenarrowlineofskyabovethem，tillatlengththeyreachedthecourtofthesanctuary.Heretheplacewasassilentasdeath，forthenoisefromthecitywithoutcouldnotpierceitstoweringwallsofmassivegranite.
　　"ItistheverypitofTophet，"murmuredIssachar，peeringthroughthedenseshadows，"thehouseofBeelzebub，wherehispresencedwells.
　　Whithernow，Aziel？"
　　Theprincepointedtotwoobjectsthatwerevisibleinthestarlight，andanswered：——
　　"Thither，atthefootofthepillarofEl."
　　"Ah！Iremember，"saidIssachar，"wheretheaccursedwomanwouldhaveofferedsacrifice，andthepriestsstruckmedownbecauseIprophesiedtothemofthewrathtocome，andthatisnowathand.Anill—omenedspot，indeed，andanill—omenedtrystwiththefiendsforwitnesses.
　　Well，leadon，andIprayyoutobebriefasmaybe，forthisplaceweighsdownmysoul，andIfeeldangerinit——dangertothebodyandthespirit."
　　Sotheywentforward."Becareful，"whisperedAzielpresently."Thepitofsacrificeisatyourfeet."
　　"Yes，yes，"heanswered，"wewalkupontheedgeofthepit，and，intruth，Igrowfearful，foratthethresholdofsuchplacestheangeloftheLorddesertsus."
　　"Thereisnothingtofear，"saidAziel.Butevenashespoke，althoughhecouldnotseeit，awhitefaceroseabovetheedgeofthepit，likethatofsomeghoststrugglingfromthetomb，watchedthemamomentwithcoldeyes，thendisappearedagain.
　　Nowtheywerenearthegreaterpillar，andnowfromitsshadowglidedablack—veiledshape.
　　"Elissa？"murmuredAziel.
　　"ItisI，"whisperedasoftvoice;"butwhocomeswithyou？"
　　"I，Issachar，"saidtheLevite，"whowouldnotsufferthatheofwhomIamgivenchargeshouldseeksuchcompanyalone.Now，priestess，sayyoursaywiththeprinceyonderandletusbegoneswiftlyfromthisblood—stainedplace."
　　"Youspeakharshwordstome，Issachar，"shesaidgently，"yetIammostgladthatyouhavecome，for，believeme，Isoughtnolovers’
　　meetingwiththeprinceAziel.Listen，bothofyou：youknowthattheyhaveconsecratedmehigh—priestessofBaaltisagainstmywill.Now，I
　　tellyou，Issachar，whatIhavealreadytoldtheprinceAziel——thatI
　　amnolongeraworshipperofBaaltis.Yes，hereinherverytempleI
　　renounceher，eventhoughshetakesmylifeinvengeance.Oh！sincetheymademepriestessIhavebeenforcedtolearnallherworship，whichbeforeIneverevenguessed，andtoseesightsthatwouldchillyourbloodtohearofthem.NowItellyou，princeAzielandIssachar，thatIwillbearnomore.FromElandBaaltisIturntoHimyouworship，though，alas！littletimeislefttomeinwhichtopleadforpardon."
　　"Whyislittletimeleft？"brokeinAziel.
　　"Becausemydeathisverynearme，Prince，forifIlive，seewhatafateismine.EitherImustremainhigh—priestessofBaaltisandtoherdaybydaybowtheknee，andmonthbymonthmakesacrifice——ofwhatthinkyou？Well，tobeplain，ofthebloodofmaidsandchildren.
　　Or，perhaps，shouldtheirfearsovercometheirscruples，Ishallbegivenbythecouncilasapeace—offeringtoIthobal.
　　"IsaythatIwillbearneitheroftheseburdensofbloodorshame;
　　theyaretooheavyforme.Prince，sosoonasyouaregoneItooshallleavethiscity，notinthebody，butinthespirit，searchingforpeaceorsleep.ItwasforthisreasonthatIsoughttospeakwithyouinfarewell，sinceinmyweaknessIdesiredthatyoushouldlearnthetruthofthecauseandmannerofmyend.
　　"Nowyouknowall，andasformethereisnoescape，farewellforever，princeAziel，whomIhaveloved，andwhomIcanscarcelyhopetomeetagain，evenbeyondthegrave."Thenwithalittledespairingmotionofherhandsheturnedtogo.
　　"Stay，"saidAzielhoarsely，"wecannotbepartedthus;sincebyyourownactyoucandaretoleavetheworld，willyounotdaretoflythisplacewithme？"
　　"Perhaps，Prince，"sheansweredwithalittlelaugh，"butwouldyoudaretotakeme，andifso，wouldIssacharheresufferit？No，no;goyourownpathinlife，andleavemedeath——itistheeasierway."
　　"InthismatterIammasterandnotIssachar，"saidAziel，"thoughitbetruethatshoulditpleasehim，hecanwarnthepriestsofEl.
　　Listen，Elissa：eitheryouleavethiscitywithme，orIstayinitwithyou.Youhearme，Issachar？"
　　"Ihearyou，"saidtheLevite，"butperchancebeforeyouthrowmoresharpwordsatmyhead，youwillsuffermetospeak.Self—murderisacrime，yetIhonourthiswomanwhowouldshedherownblood，ratherthanthebloodoftheinnocentinsacrificetoBaal，andwhorefusestobegiveninmarriagetooneshehates;who，moreover，hasfoundstrengthandgracetotrampleonherdevil—worship，ifsointruthshehas.Ifthereforeshewillcomewithusandwecanescapewithher，why，lethercome.Onlysweartome，Aziel，thatyouwillmakenowifeofhertilltheking，yourgrandsire，hasheardthistaleandgivenjudgmentonit."
　　"ThatIwillswearforhim，"exclaimedElissa;"isitnotso，Aziel？"
　　"Asyouwill，lady，"heanswered."Issachar，youhavemywordthatuntilthensheshallbeasmysister，andnomore."
　　"IhearandIbelieveyou，"saidIssachar，adding："Andnow，lady，wegoatonce，soifyoudesiretoaccompanyus，come."
　　"Iamready，"shereplied，"andthehouriswellchosenforIshallnotbemissedtilldawn."
　　Sotheyturnedandleftthetemple.Nonestayedorhinderedthem，yetalthoughtheyreachedthechambersofAzielinsafety，theirhearts，whichshouldhavebeenlight，werestillheavywiththepresageofnewsorrowtocome.
　　Scarcelycouldtheyhavebeenheavier，indeed，hadtheyseenawhite—
　　facedwomancreepfromthepitofdeathandfollowthemstealthilytilltheyhadpassedfromthetempleintothepalacedoors，thenturnandrunatfullspeedtowardsthecollegeofthepriestsofEl.
　　InthechamberofAzieltheyfoundMetem.
　　"Irejoicetoseeyoubackagaininsafety，sinceitismorethanI
　　thoughttodo，"hesaid，whiletheyentered，adding，astheblack—
　　veiledshapeofElissafollowedthemintotheroom，"butwhoisthethird？Ah！Isee，theladyElissa.DoestheBaaltisaccompanyusuponourjourney？"
　　"Yes，"answeredAzielshortly.
　　"ThenwithherhighGraceontheonesideandtheholyIssacharontheotheritshouldnotlackforblessings.Surelythatevilmustbegreatfromwhich，separatelyortogether，theyareunabletodefendus.But，lady，ifImayaskit，haveyoubidfarewelltoyourmosthonouredfather？"
　　"Tormentmenot，"murmuredElissa.
　　"Indeed，Ididnotwishto，thoughyoumayrememberthatnotsolongagoyouthreatenedtosilencemeforever.Well，doubtlessyourdepartureistoohurriedforfarewells，and，fortunately，foreseeingit，Ihaveprovidedsparemules.Somydeedsarekinderthanmywords.
　　Igotoseethatallisprepared.Noweatbeforeyoustart;presentlyIwillreturnforyou，"andheleftthechamber.
　　Whenhehadgonetheygatheredroundthetableonwhichstoodfood，butcouldtouchlittleofit;fortheheartsofallthreeofthemwerefilledwithsadforebodings.Soontheyheardanoiseasofpeopletalkingexcitedlyoutsidethepalacegates.
　　"ItisMetemwiththemules，"saidAziel.
　　"Ihopeso，"answeredElissa.
　　Againtherewassilence，which，afterawhile，wasbrokenbyaloudknockingatthedoor.
　　"Rise，"saidAziel，"Metemcomesforus."
　　"No，no，"criedElissa，"itisDoomthatknocks，notMetem."
　　Asthewordspassedherlipsthedoorwasburstopen，andthroughitpouredamobofarmedpriests，attheheadofwhommarchedtheShadid.
　　ByhissidewashisdaughterMesa，inwhosepalefacetheeyesburnedliketorchesinawind.
　　"DidInottellyouso？"shesaidinashrillvoice，pointingatthethree."BeholdtheLadyBaaltisandherlover，andwiththemthatpriestofafalsefaithwhocalleddowncursesuponourcity."
　　"Youtoldusindeed，daughter，"answeredtheShadid;"pardonusifwewerelothtobelievethatsuchathingcouldbe."Thenwithacryofrageheadded，"Takethem."
　　NowAzieldrewhissword，andspranginfrontofElissatoprotecther，butbeforehecouldstrikeablowitwasseizedfrombehind，andhewasgrippedbymanyhands，gagged，boundandblindfolded.Thenlikeamaninadreamhefelthimselfcarriedawaythroughlongpassages，tillatlengthhereachedanairlessplace，wherethegagandbandageswereremoved.
　　"WhereamI？"Azielasked.
　　"Inthevaultsofthetemple，"answeredthepriestsastheylefttheprison，barringitsgreatdoorbehindthem.
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　THESACRILEGEOFAZIEL
　　Howlonghelayinhisdungeon，lostinbitterthoughtandtormentedbyfearsforElissa，Azielcouldnottell，fornolightcametheretomarkthepassageofthehours.Inthetumultofhismind，oneterriblethoughtgrewclearandeverclearer;heandElissahadbeentakenred—
　　handed，andmustpaythepriceoftheirsinagainstthereligiouscustomsofthecity.FortheBaaltistobefoundwithanymanwhowasnotherhusbandmeantdeathtohimandher，adoomfromwhichtherewaslittlechanceofescape.
　　Well，tohisownfatehewasalmostindifferent，butforElissaandIssacharhemournedbitterly.TrulytheLeviteandMetemhadbeenwisewhentheycautionedhim，forhersakeandhisown，tohavenothingtodowithapriestessofBaal.Buthehadnotlistened;hisheartwouldnotlethimlisten——andnow，unlesstheyweresavedbyamiracle——orMetem——inthefulnessoftheiryouthandlove，thelivesofbothofthemwereforfeited.
　　WornoutwithsorefearsandvainregretsAzielfellatlengthintoaheavysleep.Hewasawakenedbytheopeningofthedoorofhisdungeon，andtheentryofpriests——grim，silentmenwhoseizedandblindfoldedhim.Thentheyledhimawayupmanystairs，andalongpathssosteepthatfromtimetotimetheypausedtorest，tillatlengthheknew，bythesoundofvoices，thathehadreachedsomeplacewherepeoplewereassembled.Herethebandagewasremovedfromhiseyes.Hesteppedbackwards，recoilinginvoluntarilyattheglareoflightthatpoureduponhimfromthesettingsun，whereon，utteringanexclamation，thosewhostoodnearseizedandheldhim.Presentlyhesawthereason.Hewasstandingonthebrinkofaprecipiceatthebackofanddominatingthedimandshadow—cladcity，whilefarbeneathhimlayagloomyriftalongwhichranthetraderoadtothecoast.
　　Hereinthisdizzyspotwasawidespaceofrock，walledinuponthreesides.Theprecipiceformedthefourthsideofitssquare，inwhich，seateduponstonesthatseemedtohavebeensetthereinsemi—circlestoserveasjudgmentchairs，weregatheredtheheadpriestsandpriestessesofElandBaaltis，cladintheirsacerdotalrobes.Totherightandleftofthesestoodknotsoffavouredspectators，amongwhomAzielrecognisedMetemandSakon，whileathisside，butseparatedfromhimbyarmedpriests，wereElissaherself，wrappedinadarkveil，andIssachar.Lastly，infrontofhim，afireflickereduponalittlealtar，andbehindthealtarstoodashrinecontainingasymbolicaleffigyofBaaltisfashionedofgold，ivoryandwoodtotheshapeofawomanwithahundredbreasts.
　　Seeingallthis，Azielunderstoodthattheythreehadbeenbroughtherefortrial，andthatthepriestsandpriestessesbeforehimweretheirjudges.Indeed，herememberedthattheplacehadbeenpointedouttohimasonewherethosewhohadoffendedagainstthegodswerecarriedforjudgment.Thence，iffoundguilty，suchunfortunateswerehurleddownthefaceoftheprecipiceandleft，ashapelessmassofbrokenbone，tocrumbleontheroadwayatitsfoot.
　　Afteralongandsolemnpause，atasignfromtheShadid，hewhohadbeenthehusbandofthedeadBaaltis，theveilwasremovedfromElissa.Atoncesheturned，lookedatAziel，andsmiledsadly.
　　"Doyouknowthefatethatwaitsus？"theprinceaskedofIssacharinHebrew.
　　"Iknow，andIamready，"answeredtheoldLevite，"forsincemysoulissafeIcarelittlewhatthesedogsmaydotomybody.But，oh！myson，Iweepforyou，andcursedbethehourwhenfirstyousawthatwoman’sface."
　　"Sparetoreproachmeinmymisfortune，"murmuredElissa;"haveInotenoughtobear，knowingthatIhavebroughtdeathuponhimIlove？Oh！
　　cursemenot，butpraythatmysinsmaybeforgivenme."
　　"ThatIwilldogladly，daughter，"repliedIssacharmoregently，"themoresothat，althoughyouseemtobethecauseofthem，thesethingscanhavehappenedonlybythewillofHeaven.ThereforeIwaswrongtorevileyou，andIaskyourpardon."
　　BeforeshecouldanswertheShadidcommandedsilence.AtthesamemomentthewomanMesasteppedfrombehindtheeffigyofthegoddessontheshrine.
　　"Whoareyouandwhatdoyouhere？"askedtheShadid，asthoughhedidnotknowher.
　　"IamMesa，thedaughterofherwhowastheladyBaaltis，"sheanswered，"andmyrankisthatofMotherofthepriestessesofBaaltis.Iappeartogivetrueevidenceagainsther，whoistheanointedBaaltis，againsttheIsraelitishstrangernamedAziel，andthepriestoftheLordoftheJews."
　　"Layyourhanduponthealtarandspeak，butbewarewhatyouspeak，"
　　saidtheShadid.
　　Mesabowedherhead，tooktheoathoftruthbytouchingthealtarwithherfingers，andbegan：——
　　"FromthetimethatshewasappointedIhavebeensuspiciousoftheladyBaaltis."
　　"Whywereyoususpicious？"askedtheShadid.
　　ThewitnesslethereyeswandertowardsMetem，thenhesitated.
　　Evidentlyforsomereasonofherownshedidnotwishtoimplicatehim.
　　"Iwassuspicious，"sheanswered，"becauseofcertainwordsthatcamefromthelipsoftheBaaltis，whenshehadbeenthrownintotheholytrancebeforethefireofsacrifice.Asismyaccustomedpart，Ibentoverhertohearandtoannouncethemessageofthegods，butinplaceofthehallowedwordsthereissuedbabblingsaboutthisHebrewstrangerandofameetingtobeheldwithhimatonehourbeforemoonrisebythepillarofElinthecourtyardofthetemple.
　　ThereafterforseveralnightsaswasmydutyIhidmyselfinthepitofofferingsinthecourtyardandwatched.LastnightatanhourbeforethemoonrisetheLadyBaaltiscamedisguisedbythesecretwayandwaitedatthepillar，wherepresentlyshewasjoinedbytheJewAzielandtheLevite，whospokewithher.
　　"WhattheysaidIcouldnothear，becausetheyweretoofarfromme，butatlengththeyleftthetempleandItracedthemtothechambersoftheJewAziel，inthepalaceofSakon.Then，Shadid，Iwarnedyou，andthepriestsandyouaccompaniedmeandtookthem.Now，asMotherofthepriestesses，Idemandthatjusticebedoneuponthesewickedones，accordingtotheancientcustom，lestthecurseofBaaltisshouldfalluponthiscity."
　　Whenshehadfinishedherevidence，withacoldstareoftriumphanthateatherrival，Mesasteppedtooneside.
　　"Youhaveheard，"saidtheShadidaddressinghisfellow—judges.Doyouneedfurthertestimony？Ifso，itmustbebrief，forthesunsinks."
　　"Nay，"answeredthespokesman，"forwithyouwetookthethreeofthemtogetherinthechamberoftheprinceAziel.Setoutthelawofthismatter，OJudge，andletjusticebedoneaccordingtothestrictletterofthelaw——justicewithoutfearorfavour."
　　"Hearken，"saidtheShadid."LastnightthiswomanElissa，thedaughterofSakon，beingtheladyBaaltisdulyelected，metmensecretlyinthecourtsofthetempleandaccompaniedthem，oroneofthem，tothechamberofAziel，aprinceofIsrael，theguestofSakon.
　　Whetherornoshewasabouttoflywithhimfromthecitywhichheshouldhaveleftlastnight，wecannottell，anditisneedlesstoinquire，atleastshewaswithhim.This，however，issure，thattheydidnotsininignoranceofourlaw，sincewithmyownmouthIwarnedthemboththatiftheladyBaaltisconsortswithanymannotherhusbanddulynamedbyheraccordingtoherright，shemustdieandheraccomplicewithher.Therefore，AzieltheIsraelite，wegiveyoutodeath，doomingyoupresentlytobehurledfromtheedgeofyonderprecipice."
　　"Iaminyourpower，"saidtheprinceproudly，"andyoucanmurderifyouwill，because，forsooth，IhaveoffendedagainstsomelawofBaal，butItellyou，priest，thattherearekingsinJerusalemandEgyptwhowilldemandmybloodatyourhands.IhavenothingmoretosayexcepttobeseechyoutosparethelifeoftheladyElissa，sincethefaultofthemeetingwasnothers，butmine."
　　"Prince，"answeredtheShadidgravely，"weknowyourrankandweknowalsothatyourbloodwillberequiredatourhands，butwewhoserveourgods，whosevengeanceissoswiftandterrible，cannotbetraytheirlawforthefearofanyearthlykings.Yet，thussaysthissamelaw，itisnotneedfulthatyoushoulddiesinceforyouthereisawayofescapethatleadstosafetyandgreathonour，andshewhowasthecauseofyoursinisthemistressofitsgate.Elissa，holderofthespiritofBaaltisuponearth，ifitbeyourpleasuretonamethismanhusbandbeforeusall，thenasthespouseofBaaltishegoesfree，forhewhomtheBaaltischoosescannotrefusehergiftoflove，butforsolongassheshalllivemustrulewithherasShadidofEl.Butifyounamehimnot，thenasIhavesaid，hemustdie，andnow.
　　Speak."
　　"Itseemsthatmychoiceissmall，"saidElissawithafaintsmile.
　　"Prayingyoutopardonmeforthedeed，tosaveyourlife，princeAziel，accordingtotheancientcustomandprivilegeoftheBaaltis，I
　　nameyouconsortandhusband."
　　NowAzielwasabouttoanswerherwhentheShadidbrokeinhurriedly，"Sobeit，"hesaid."Lady，wehearyourchoice，andweacceptitaswemust，butnotyet，princeAziel，canyoutakeyourwifeandwithhermyplaceandpower.Yourlifeissafeindeed，forsincetheBaaltis，beingunwed，namesyouashermate，youhavedonenosin.Yetshehassinnedanddoomawaitsher，foragainstthelawshehaschosenashusbandonewhoworshipsastrangegod，andofallcrimesthatisthegreatest.Therefore，eitheryoumusttakeincenseandbeforeusallmakeofferingtoElandBaaltisuponyonderaltar，thusrenouncingyourfaithandenteringintoours，orshemustdieandyou，yourrankhavingpassedfromyouwithherbreath，willbeexpelledfromthecity."
　　NowAzielunderstoodthetrapthathadbeenlaidforhim，andsawinitthehandiworkofSakonandMetem.Elissahavingflagrantlyviolatedthereligiouslaw，andhe，beingthecauseofhercrime，eventheauthorityofthegovernorofthecitycouldnotpreventhisdaughterandhisguestfrombeingputupontheirtrial.Therefore，theyhadarrangedthisfarce，forsoitwouldseemtothem，wherebyboththeoffendersmightescapethelegalconsequencesoftheiroffence，trusting，doubtless，toaccidentandthefuturetounravelthiswebofforcedmarriage，andtofreeAzielfromapriestlyrankwhichhehadnotsought.ItwasonlynecessarythatElissashouldformallychoosehimasherhusband，andthatAzielshouldgothroughriteofthrowingafewgrainsofincenseuponanaltar，and，thelawsatisfied，theywouldbebothfreeandsafe.WhatMetem，andthosewhoworkedwithhim，hadforgottenwas，thatthisofferingofincensetoBaalwouldbethemostdeadlyofcrimesintheeyesofanyfaithfulJew——one，indeed，which，werehealoneconcerned，hewoulddieratherthancommit.
　　Whentheprinceheardthisdecree，andthefullterrorofthechoicecamehometohismind，hisbloodturnedcold，andforawhilehissenseswerebewildered.Therewasnoescapeforhim;eitherhemustabjurehisfaithatthepriceofhisownsoul，or，becauseofit，thewomanwhomheloved，now，beforehiseyes，mustsufferamosthorribleandsuddendeath.Itwashideoustothinkof，andyethowcouldhedothissininthefaceofheavenandoftheseministersofSatan？
　　Themomentwasathand;apriestheldouttohimabowlofincense，agoldenbowl，henoticedidly，withhandlesofgreenstonefashionedinthelikenessofBaaltis，whoseservanthewasaskedtodeclarehimself.He，AzieloftheroyalhouseofIsrael，aservantofBaalandBaaltis，nay，ahigh—priestoftheirworship！Itwasmonstrous，itmightnotbe.ButElissa？Well，shemustdie——ifthiswasnotafarce，andintruththeymeanttomurderher;herlifecouldnotbeboughtatsuchaprice.
　　"Icannotdoit，"hegaspedwithdrylips，thrustingasidethebowl.
　　Nowalllookedastonished，forhisrefusalhadnotbeenforeseen.
　　Therewasapause，andoncemorethewomanMesa，inhercharacterofprosecutrixonbehalfoftheoutragedgods，appearedbeforethealtar，andsaidinhercoldvoice：
　　"TheJewwhomtheladyBaaltishaschosenashusbandwillnotdohomagetohergods.Therefore，asMotherofthepriestessesandAdvocateofBaaltis，IdemandthatElissa，daughterofSakon，beputtodeath，andthethroneofBaaltisbepurgedofonewhohasdefiledit，lesttheswiftandterriblevengeanceofthegoddessshouldfalluponthiscity."
　　TheShadidmotionedtohertobesilent，andaddressedAziel：——
　　"Weprayyoutothinkawhile，"hesaid，"beforeyougiveonetodeathwhoseonlysinisthat，beingthehigh—priestessofourworship，shehasnamedanunbelievertofillthethroneofElandbeherhusband.
　　Outofpityforherfatewegiveyoutimetothink."
　　NowSakon，takingadvantageofthepause，rushedforward，andthrowinghisarmsaboutAziel’sknees，imploredhiminheart—breakingaccentstopreservehisonlychildfromsohorribleadoom.Hesaidthatdidherefusetosaveherbecauseofhisreligiousscruples，hewouldbeadogandacoward，andthescornofallhonestmenforever.Itwasforloveofhimthatshehadbrokenthepriestlylaw，toviolatewhichwasdeath，andalthoughhehadbeenwarnedofherdanger，yetinhiswickednessandfollyhehadbroughthertothispass.Wouldhethendeserthernow？
　　ButIssacharthrusthimaside，andbrokeinwithfierywords：——
　　"Hearkennottothisman，Aziel，"hesaid，"whostrivestoworkuponyourweaknesstotheruinofyoursoul.What！Tosavethelifeofonewoman，whosefairfacehasbroughtsomuchtroubleuponusall，wouldyoudenyyourLordandbecomethethrallofBaalandAshtoreth？Letherdiesincedieshemust，andkeepyourownheartpure，forbeassured，shouldyoudootherwise，Jehovah，whomyourenounce，willswiftlybeavengedonyouandher.AtthebeginningIwarnedyou，andyouwouldnotlisten.Now，Aziel，Iwarnyouagain，andwoe！woe！woe！
　　toyoushouldyoushutyourearstomymessage."Thenliftinghishandstowardstheskies，hebegantoprayaloudthatAzielmightbeconstantinhistrial.
　　Meanwhile，Metem，whohaddrawnnear，spokeinalowvoice：——
　　"Prince，"hesaid，"Iamnotchicken—hearted，andtherearesomanyyoungwomenintheworldthatonemoreorlesscanscarcelymatter;
　　still，althoughshethreatenedtomurdermethreedaysago，Icannotbeartoseethisonecometosodreadfuladeath.Prince，donotheedthehowlingsofthatoldfanatic，butrememberthatafterallyouarethecauseofthislady’splight，andplaythepartofaman.Canyouforthesakeofyourownscruples，howeverworthy，orofyourownsouleven，howevervaluabletoyourself，doomthefairbodyofawomanwhoriskedallforyoutosuchanendasthat？"Andshudderinghenoddedtowardsthegloomyprecipice.
　　"Istherenootherway？"Azielaskedhim.
　　"None，Iswearit.Theydidnotwishtokillher，exceptthatwild—catMesawhoseeksherplace，buthavingputheronherpublictrial，ifyoupersist——theymust.
　　"Thisisoneofthefewlawswhichcannotbebrokenforfavourorforgold，sincethepeople，whoarealreadyhalf—madwithfearofIthobal，believethattobreakitwouldbringthecursesofheavenupontheircity.Perhapswemighthavefoundsomeotherplan，butnoneofusevendreamedthatyouwouldrefusesosmallathingforthesakeofawomanwhomyousworeyouloved."
　　"Asmallthing！"brokeinAziel.