ince the goddess could not be
compelled, and even Ithobal, fearing the vengeance of Heaven, would
shrink from offering her violence.

There support gained, having first sworn him to secrecy, he attacked
Sakon himself, using similar arguments with him. He pointed out, in
addition, that if the governor hoped to see his daughter married to
prince Aziel, who was in love with her, however dazzling might be the
prospects of such a match, it would certainly bring upon him the present
wrath of Ithobal, and, in all probability, future trouble with the
Courts of Egypt, of Israel, and through them, of Tyre. Thus working in
many ways, Metem laboured incessantly to win his end, so that when at
last the hour of election came he awaited its issue, fairly confident of
success.

It was on this same afternoon that for the first time since she had
received the arrow which was meant for his heart, Aziel was admitted to
see Elissa. Now at length her recovery was certain, although she had not
shaken off her weakness, and her right arm and wrist were still stiff
and swollen. Except for two or three of her women, who were seated at
their work behind a screen near the far end of the great chamber,
she was alone, lying upon a couch in the recess of the window-place.
Advancing to her, Aziel bent down to kiss her wounded hand.

"Nay," said Elissa, hiding it beneath the folds of her robe, "it is
still black and unsightly with the poison."

"The more reason that I should kiss it, seeing how the stain came
there," he answered.

Her eyes met his, and she whispered, "Not my hand, but my brow, Prince,
for so I shall be crowned."

He pressed his lips upon her forehead, and replied:--

"Queen of my heart you are already, and though the throne be humble it
is sure. The life you saved is yours, and no other's."

"I did but repay a debt," she answered; "but speak of it no more. Gladly
would I have died to save you; should such choice arise, would you do so
for me, I wonder?"

"There is little need to ask such a question, lady; for your sake
I would not only die, I would even endure shame--that is worse than
death."

"Sweet words, Aziel," she answered, smiling, "of which we shall learn
the value when the hour of trial comes, as come, I think, it will. You
told me but now that you were mine, and no other's; but is it so? I have
heard the story of a certain princess of Khem with whom your name was
mingled. Tell me, if you will, what was it that set