"Now," he added, "are you ready to take the risk, Prince ?" "I should be a coward indeed if I did not," answered Aziel, "when she, a woman, dares a heavier." "And I am a coward, that is why I take it, for otherwise I also must dare a heavier.

But what of Issachar?
This meeting can scarcely be kept a secret from him." Aziel thought awhile and said:-- "Go fetch him here." So Metem went, to return presently with the Levite, to whom, without further ado, the prince told all, hiding nothing.
Issachar listened in silence.

When both Aziel and Metem had done speaking, he said:-- "At least, I thank you, Prince, for being open with me; and now without more words I pray you to abandon this rash plan, which can end only in pain, and perhaps in death." "Abandon it not, Prince," interrupted Metem, "seeing that if you do it will certainly end in my death, for the girl is mad, and will have her way.

Or if she does not, then I must pay the price." "Have no fear," answered Aziel smiling.

"Issachar, this must be done or----" "Or what, Prince ?" "I will not leave the city.