But the "Arab mystic" is too near sharing the belief to act his part with ease, and while he is still paltering the devoted Anael slays the Prefect.

The play is thenceforth occupied, ostensibly, with the efforts of the Christian authorities to discover and punish the murderers.

Its real subject is the subtle changes wrought in Djabal and Anael by their gradual transition from the relation of prophet and devotee to that of lovers.

Her passion, even before he comes to share it, has begun to sap the security of his false pretensions: he longs, not at first to disavow them, but to make them true: he will be the prophetic helper of his people in very deed.

To the outer world he maintains his claim with undiminished boldness and complete success; but the inner supports are gradually giving way, Arab mystic and Frank schemer lose their hold, and "A third and better nature rises up, My mere man's nature." Anael, a simpler character than any previous woman of the plays, thus has a more significant function.