I stand here, waiting the return of my holy mistress that I may remind her that the hour of sunset prayer is at hand." "Would that I had so fair a mentor," exclaimed Metem, "for then I should lose less time." But to himself he said, "She _has_ heard something, though I think but little," then added aloud: "Well judge between us, lady.

Is fifty golden shekels too much for these images which have been blessed and sprinkled with the blood of children by the high priest of Baal at Sidon ?" Mesa lifted her cold eyes and looked at them.

"I think it too much," she said, "but it is for the lady Baaltis to judge.

Who am I that I should open my lips in the presence of the lady Baaltis ?" "I have appealed to the oracle, and it has spoken against me," said Metem, wringing his hands in affected dismay.

"Well, I abide the result.
Queen, you offered me forty shekels and for forty you shall take them, for the honour of the holy gods, though in truth I lose ten shekels by the bargain.