rew still for ever. Then, as the
sun sank and the darkness fell, Aziel's strength left him, and presently
he slipped to the ground senseless.

*****

Thereafter it seemed to Aziel that he was plunged in an endless and
dreadful dream, and that through its turmoil and shifting visions, he
could see continually the dreadful death of Issachar, and hear his stern
accents prophesying woe to him who renounces the God of his forefathers
to bow the knee to Baal.

At length he awoke from that horror-haunted sleep to find himself lying
in a strange chamber. It was night, and lamps burned in the chamber,
and by their light he saw a man whose face he knew mixing a draught in
a glass phial. So weak was he that at first he could not remember the
man's name, then by slow degrees it came to him.

"Metem," he said, "where am I?"

The Phoenician looked up from his task, smiled, and answered:--

"Where you should be, Prince, in your own house, the palace of the
Shadid. But you must not speak, for you have been ill; drink this and
sleep."

Aziel swallowed the draught and was instantly overcome by slumber. When
he awoke the sun was shining brightly through the window place, and its
rays fell upon the shrewd, kindly face of Metem, who, seated on a stool,
watched him, his chin resting in his hand.

"Tell me all that has befallen, friend," said Aziel presently,
"since----" and he shuddered.

"Since you were married after a new fashion and that bigoted but most
honourable fool, Issachar, went to his reward. Well, I will when you
have eaten," answered Metem as he gave him food. "First," he said, after
a while, "you have lain here for three days raving in a fever, nursed
by myself and visited by your wife the lady Baaltis, whenever she could
escape from her religious duties----"

"Elissa! Has she been here?" asked Aziel.

"Calm yourself, Prince, certainly she has, and, what is more, she
will be back soon. Secondly: Ithobal has been as good as his word,
and invests the city with a vast army, cutting off all supplies and
possibilities of escape. It is believed that he will try an assault
within the next week, which many think may be successful. Thirdly: to
avoid this risk it is rumoured that the priests and priestesses, at the
instance of the council, are discussing the wisdom of giving over to
the king the person of the daughter of Sakon. This, it is said, could be
done on the plea that her election as the lady Baaltis was brought abo