"Be it done to her as she desires." Thereon four priests seized Elissa by the wrists and ankles.

Carrying her to the edge of the precipice, they thrust her back till she hung over it, her long hair streaming downwards, and the red light of the sunset shining upon her upturned ghastly face.

Then they paused, waiting for the signal to let her go.

The Shadid raised his wand and said:-- "Is it your pleasure that this woman should die or live, prince Aziel?
Decide swiftly, for my arm is weak, and when the wand falls opportunity for choice will have passed from you." Now all eyes were fixed upon the wand, and the intense silence was only broken by Sakon's cry of despair.

Metem wrung his hands in grief; even Issachar veiled his eyes with his robe, to shut out the sight of dread, and the priest, who bore the bowl of incense, thrust it towards Aziel imploringly.
For some seconds, three perhaps, though to him they seemed an age, the heart of Aziel was racked and torn in this terrific contest.