se words become you well, but it has
pleased the gods to choose you and not my daughter, the lady Mesa, or
any other woman, and the choice of the gods may not be set aside. Till
death shall take you, you and you alone are the lady Baaltis whom we
obey."

"Must I then be made divine against my will," she pleaded, and turned to
Aziel as though for counsel.

"Be pleased to stand back, prince Aziel," said the stern voice of the
Shadid, interposing. "Remember that henceforth no man may speak to
the Baaltis save he whom she names with the name of Shadid to be her
husband. Henceforward you are parted, since to seek her company would be
to cause her death."

Now understanding that the doom of life-long separation had fallen upon
them like the sudden sword of fate, Aziel and Elissa gazed at each other
in despair. Then, before either of them could speak a word, at a sign
from the Shadid, the priestesses closed round Elissa. Throwing a white
veil over her head, they broke into a joyful paean of song, and half-led,
half-carried her from the chamber to enthrone her in the palace of the
goddess, which was henceforth to be her home.

Presently all the company, including the waiting women, having joined
the procession, the chamber was empty, with the exception of Aziel,
Metem and Issachar the Levite, who, drawn by the sound of singing, had
entered the place unnoticed.

"Take comfort, Prince," said the Phoenician in a half-bantering voice,
"if you and the lady Baaltis are truly dear to each other she may still
be yours, for you have but to bow the knee to El, and she will name you
Shadid and husband."

"Blaspheme not," cried Issachar sternly. "Shall a worshipper of the God
of Israel do sacrifice to a demon to win a woman's smile?"

"That time will prove," answered Metem, shrugging his shoulders; "at
least it is certain that he will win it in no other way. Prince," he
added, changing his tone, "if you have any such thoughts, abandon them,
I pray of you, for on this matter the law may not be broken. The man
spoke truth, moreover, when he told you that should you be found with
the Baaltis, not being her husband, you would cause her death."

Aziel took no notice of his words, but turning to the Levite, he asked
in a quiet voice:--

"Did you plot this to separate us, Issachar? If so, you shall live to
mourn the deed."

"Listen, Prince," broke in Metem, "it was not Issachar who plotted that
the lady Elissa should be chosen Baalti