rd, and the priests are mad at the insult that has been put upon
them."

"Away with you, woman," answered Aziel; "what have I to do with a girl
of the groves and a murderess of children?"

She winced at his bitter words, but said quietly:--

"Then on your own head be your blood, Prince, which I have risked much
to keep unshed. But before you die, learn that I knew nothing of this
foul sacrifice, and that gladly would I give my own life to save that of
yonder child."

"Save it, and I will believe you," answered the prince, turning from
her.

Elissa slipped away, for she saw that the priestesses, her companions,
were reforming their ranks, and that she must not tarry. When she had
gone a few yards, a hand caught her by the sleeve, and the voice of
Metem, who had overheard something of this talk, whispered in her ear:--

"Daughter of Sakon, what will you give me if I show you a way to save
the life of the child, and with it that of the prince, and at the same
time to make him think well of you again?"

"All my jewels and ornaments of gold, and they are many," she answered
eagerly.

"Good; it is a bargain. Now listen: The lady Baaltis is dead; she died
a few minutes since, and none here know it save myself and one other,
my servant, nor can any learn it, for the gates are shut. Do you be,
therefore, suddenly inspired--of the gods--and say so, for then the
sacrifice must cease, seeing that she for whom it was to be offered is
dead. Do you understand?"

"I understand," she answered, "and though the blasphemy bring on me
the vengeance of Baaltis, yet it shall be dared. Fear not, your pay is
good," and she pressed forward to her place, keeping the veil wrapped
about her head till she reached it unobserved, for in the general
confusion none had noticed her movements.

When the noise of shouting and angry voices had at length died away, and
the spectators were driven back outside the sacred circle, the priest
upon the platform cried:--

"Now that the Jew blasphemer has gone, let the sacrifice be offered, as
is decreed."

"Yea, let the sacrifice be offered," answered the multitude, and once
more the woman with the sleeping child stepped forward. But before the
priest could take it another figure approached him, that of Elissa, with
arms outstretched and eyes upturned.

"Hold, O priest!" she said, "for the goddess, breathing on my brow,
inspires me, and I have a message from the goddess."

"Draw near, daughter, a