United States or Peru ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
This woman, Elissa, by her witcheries " "Softly, Issachar; what witcheries does she need beyond those lips and form and eyes?" "By her witcheries, I tell you, has ensnared him so that now he swears that he will wed her." "What of it, Issachar? He might travel far to find a lovelier woman." "What of it, do you ask, remembering who he is?
So they called, setting heir lips against the bars of the gate till presently, Elissa, holding a lamp in her hand, came and stood before them. "Why do you disturb me in the sanctuary?" she asked. "Lady, because they set the night watch on the walls," answered Mesa, "and it is time to return to the temple." "Return then," said Elissa, "and leave me in peace. What, you cannot, Mesa?
But now, in my turn, I warn you, do not seek to work harm to the lady Elissa, for in striking her you strike me, and such blows may bring my vengeance after them." "Vengeance?" mocked the Levite. "I fear but one vengeance, and it is not yours, nor do I listen to the whisperings of love when duty points the path.
I could escape from this city, or the prince might escape, or the lady Elissa even might possibly escape disguised, but I am sure that all three of us could not escape, seeing that within the walls we are watched and without them the armies of Ithobal await us.
"Before I make my offering on yonder altar according to your command, I have indeed some words to say, O priest of El," answered Issachar quietly, but in a voice that chilled the blood of those who listened. "First, I address myself to you, Aziel, and to you, woman," and he pointed to Elissa, who had risen, and leaned, trembling, upon her father. "My dream is fulfilled.
"Listen, Prince," broke in Metem, "it was not Issachar who plotted that the lady Elissa should be chosen Baaltis, but I, or at least I helped the plot. Shall I tell you why I did this? It was to save you and her, and if possible to prevent a great war also.
You may have laboured for my welfare and for that of the lady Elissa, or, like the huckster that you are, for your own advantage, or for both I know not, and do not care to know. But this I know, that you, and Issachar also, are striving to snare Fate in a web of sand, and that Fate will be too strong for it and you.
"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:
But even as he spoke, although he could not see it, a white face rose above the edge of the pit, like that of some ghost struggling from the tomb, watched them a moment with cold eyes, then disappeared again. Now they were near the greater pillar, and now from its shadow glided a black-veiled shape. "Elissa?" murmured Aziel. "It is I," whispered a soft voice; "but who comes with you?"
"I go only to give her what counsel I can in the matter of the suit of this savage, Ithobal. The lady Elissa and I have quarrelled beyond repair over that accursed sacrifice " "Which her ready wit prevented," put in Metem. "But I promised last night that I would help her if I could," the prince went on, "and I always keep my word." "I understand, Prince.
Word Of The Day