Or, perhaps, should their fears overcome their scruples, I shall be given by the council as a peace-offering to Ithobal.
"I say that I will bear neither of these burdens of blood or shame; they are too heavy for me. Prince, so soon as you are gone I too shall leave this city, not in the body, but in the spirit, searching for peace or sleep. It was for this reason that I sought to speak with you in farewell, since in my weakness I desired that you should learn the truth of the cause and manner of my end.
"Now you know all, and as for me there is no escape, farewell for ever, prince Aziel, whom I have loved, and whom I can scarcely hope to meet again, even beyond the grave." Then with a little despairing motion of her hand she turned to go.
"Stay," said Aziel hoarsely, "we cannot be parted thus; since by your own act you can dare to leave the world, will you not dare to fly this place with me?"
"Perhaps, Prince," she answered with a little laugh, "but would you dare to take me, and if so, would Issachar here suffer it? No, no; go your own path in life, and leave me death--it is the easier way."
"In this matter I am master and not Issachar," said Aziel, "though it be true that should it please him, he can warn the priests of El.
Listen, Elissa: either you leave this city with me, or I stay in it with you. You hear me, Issachar?"
"I hear you," said the Levite, "but perchance before you throw more sharp words at my head, you will suffer me to speak. Self-murder is a crime, yet I honour this woman who would shed her own blood, rather than the blood of the innocent in sacrifice to Baal, and who refuses to be given in marriage to one she hates; who, moreover, has found strength and grace to trample on her devil-worship, if so in truth she has. If therefore she will come with us and we can escape with her, why, let her come. Only swear to me, Aziel, that you will make no wife of her till the king, your grandsire, has heard this tale and given judgment on it."
"That I will swear for him," exclaimed Elissa; "is it not so, Aziel?"
"As you will, lady," he answered. "Issachar, you have my word that until then she shall be as my sister, and no more."
"I hear and I believe you," said Issachar, adding: "And now, lady, we go at once, so if you desire to accompany us, come."
"I am ready," she replied, "and the hour is well chosen for I shall not be missed till dawn."
So they turned and left the temple. None stayed or hindered them, yet although they reached the chambers of Aziel in safety, their hearts, which should have been light, were still heavy with the presage of new sorrow to come.
Scarcely could they have been heavier, indeed, had they seen a white-faced woman creep from the pit of death and follow them stealthily till they had passed from the temple into the palace doors, then turn and run at full speed towards the college of the priests of El.
In the chamber of Aziel they found Metem.
"I rejoice to see you back again in safety, since it is more than I thought to do," he said, while they entered, adding, as the black-veiled shape of Elissa followed them into the room, "but who is the third? Ah! I see, the lady Elissa. Does the Baaltis accompany us upon our journey?"
"Yes," answered Aziel shortly.
"Then with her high Grace on the one side and the holy Issachar on the other it should not lack for blessings. Surely that evil must be great from which, separately or together, they are unable to defend us. But, lady, if I may ask it, have you bid farewell to your most honoured father?"
"Torment me not," murmured Elissa.
"Indeed, I did not wish to, though you may remember that not so long ago you threatened to silence me for ever. Well, doubtless your departure is too hurried for farewells, and, fortunately, foreseeing it, I have provided spare mules. So my deeds are kinder than my words.
I go to see that all is prepared. Now eat before you start; presently I will return for you," and he left the chamber.
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.
Again there was silence, which, after a while, was broken by a loud knocking at the door.
"Rise," said Aziel, "Metem comes for us."
"No, no," cried Elissa, "it is Doom that knocks, not Metem."
As the words passed her lips the door was burst open, and through it poured a mob of armed priests, at the head of whom marched the Shadid.
By his side was his daughter Mesa, in whose pale face the eyes burned like torches in a wind.
"Did I not tell you so?" she said in a shrill voice, pointing at the three. "Behold the Lady Baaltis and her lover, and with them that priest of a false faith who called down curses upon our city."
"You told us indeed, daughter," answered the Shadid; "pardon us if we were loth to believe that such a thing could be." Then with a cry of rage he added, "Take them."
Now Aziel drew his sword, and sprang in front of Elissa to protect her, but before he could strike a blow it was seized from behind, and he was gripped by many hands, gagged, bound and blindfolded. Then like a man in a dream he felt himself carried away through long passages, till at length he reached an airless place, where the gag and bandages were removed.
"Where am I?" Aziel asked.
"In the vaults of the temple," answered the priests as they left the prison, barring its great door behind them.
