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Aziel looked up, although there was no need for him to do so, for he knew that voice well, to see the tall form of the Levite Issachar standing before them, a cold light of anger shining in his eyes. Elissa saw also, and, with some murmured words of farewell, she turned and went, leaving them together. For a moment there was silence, which Aziel broke, saying:
"May the Prince live for ever," he said, "yet if he suffer melancholy to overcome him thus, his life, however long, will be but sad." "I was only thinking, Metem," answered Aziel with a start. "Of the lady Elissa, whom you rescued, Prince? Ah! I guessed as much.
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:
Swiftly as Elissa had run down the street, here she redoubled her speed, flitting through the glades like some white spirit, and so rapidly that her companion found it difficult to keep her in view. At length they came to a large open space of ground where played the level beams of the rising moon, striking upon the dense green foliage of an immense tree that grew there.
Then, a hymn having been sung invoking the blessing of the gods on the dead priestess, Elissa, as the Baaltis, unlocked the gates of bronze with a golden key that hung at her girdle, and the bearers of the bowls of offerings pushed them into the mouth of the tomb, whose threshold they were not allowed to pass.
So the leaders of the councillors visited the holy tomb and reasoned with Elissa through the bars.
Therefore, as Mother of the priestesses and Advocate of Baaltis, I demand that Elissa, daughter of Sakon, be put to death, and the throne of Baaltis be purged of one who has defiled it, lest the swift and terrible vengeance of the goddess should fall upon this city." The Shadid motioned to her to be silent, and addressed Aziel:
"Doubtless because it was her pleasure to do so," answered Mesa sharply, though she also wondered why Elissa had locked the gate. When an hour was gone by and Elissa had not returned, her wonder turned to fear and doubt. "Call to the lady Baaltis," she said, "for her prayers are long, and I fear lest she should have come to harm."
"It seems that my choice is small," said Elissa with a faint smile. "Praying you to pardon me for the deed, to save your life, prince Aziel, according to the ancient custom and privilege of the Baaltis, I name you consort and husband." Now Aziel was about to answer her when the Shadid broke in hurriedly, "So be it," he said.
When he had gone they gathered round the table on which stood food, but could touch little of it; for the hearts of all three of them were filled with sad forebodings. Soon they heard a noise as of people talking excitedly outside the palace gates. "It is Metem with the mules," said Aziel. "I hope so," answered Elissa.
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