ators, among whom Aziel recognised
Metem and Sakon, while at his side, but separated from him by armed
priests, were Elissa herself, wrapped in a dark veil, and Issachar.
Lastly, in front of him, a fire flickered upon a little altar, and
behind the altar stood a shrine containing a symbolical effigy of
Baaltis fashioned of gold, ivory and wood to the shape of a woman with a
hundred breasts.

Seeing all this, Aziel understood that they three had been brought here
for trial, and that the priests and priestesses before him were their
judges. Indeed, he remembered that the place had been pointed out to him
as one where those who had offended against the gods were carried for
judgment. Thence, if found guilty, such unfortunates were hurled down
the face of the precipice and left, a shapeless mass of broken bone, to
crumble on the roadway at its foot.

After a long and solemn pause, at a sign from the Shadid, he who had
been the husband of the dead Baaltis, the veil was removed from Elissa.
At once she turned, looked at Aziel, and smiled sadly.

"Do you know the fate that waits us?" the prince asked of Issachar in
Hebrew.

"I know, and I am ready," answered the old Levite, "for since my soul is
safe I care little what these dogs may do to my body. But, oh! my son,
I weep for you, and cursed be the hour when first you saw that woman's
face."

"Spare to reproach me in my misfortune," murmured Elissa; "have I not
enough to bear, knowing that I have brought death upon him I love? Oh!
curse me not, but pray that my sins may be forgiven me."

"That I will do gladly, daughter," replied Issachar more gently, "the
more so that, although you seem to be the cause of them, these things
can have happened only by the will of Heaven. Therefore I was wrong to
revile you, and I ask your pardon."

Before she could answer the Shadid commanded silence. At the same moment
the woman Mesa stepped from behind the effigy of the goddess on the
shrine.

"Who are you and what do you here?" asked the Shadid, as though he did
not know her.

"I am Mesa, the daughter of her who was the lady Baaltis," she answered,
"and my rank is that of Mother of the priestesses of Baaltis. I appear
to give true evidence against her, who is the anointed Baaltis, against
the Israelitish stranger named Aziel, and the priest of the Lord of the
Jews."

"Lay your hand upon the altar and speak, but beware what you speak,"
said the Shadid.

Mesa bowed her head, to