re it died away a voice
at the far end of the hall called out:--

"Perchance the lady does not know that yonder in Egypt, and in Jerusalem
also, prince Aziel is named the Ever-living."

Now it was Elissa's turn to be overcome.

"Nay, I knew it not," she said; "how should I know it? I spoke of that
Dweller in the heavens whom I worship----"

"And behold, the title fits a dweller on the earth whom you must also
worship, for such omens do not come by chance," cried the same voice,
but from another quarter of the crowded hall.

"I ask pardon," broke in Aziel, "and leave to speak. It is true that
owing to a certain birth-mark which I bear, among the Egyptians I have
been given the bye-name of the Ever-living, but it is one which this
lady can scarcely have heard, therefore jest no more upon a chance
accident of words. Moreover, if you be men, cease to heap insult upon
a woman. I who am almost a stranger here have not dared to ask the lady
Elissa for her favour."

"Ay, but you will ask and she will grant," answered the same voice, the
owner of which none could discover--for he seemed to speak from every
part of the chamber.

"Indeed," went on Aziel, not heeding the interruption, "the last
words between us were words of anger, for we quarrelled on a matter of
religion."

"What of that?" cried the voice; "love is the highest of religions, for
do not the Phoenicians worship it?"

"Seize yonder knave," shouted Sakon, and search was made but without
avail. Afterwards, however, Aziel remembered that once, when they were
weather-bound on their journey from the coast, Metem had amused them by
making his voice sound from various quarters of the hut in which they
lay. Then Ithobal rose and said:--

"Enough of this folly; I am not here to juggle with words, or to listen
to such play. Whether the lady Elissa spoke of the gods she serves or of
a man is one to me. I care not of whom she spoke, but for her words I
do care. Now hearken, you city of traders: If this is to be thy answer,
then I break down that bridge which I have built, and it is war between
you and my Tribes, war to the end. But let her change her words, and
whether she loves me or loves me not, come to be my wife, and, for my
day, the bridge shall stand; for once that we are wed I can surely teach
her love, or if I cannot, at least it is she I seek with or without her
love. Reflect then, lady, and reply again, remembering how much hangs
upon your lips."

"Do y