As for you, most high Prince, forgive the humblest of your servants if he tells you that the tenderness of your heart and the nobility of your sentiments will, I think, bring you to an early and evil end;" and, glancing towards Elissa as though to put a point upon his words, Metem smiled sarcastically and withdrew.
At this moment a messenger, whose long white hair, wild eyes and red robe announced him to be a priest of El, by which name the people of Zimboe worshipped Baal, entered the room, and whispered something into the ear of Sakon which seemed to disturb him much.
"Pardon me, Prince, and you, my guests, if I leave you," said the governor, "but I have evil tidings that call me to the temple.

The lady Baaltis is seized with the black fever, and I must visit her.

For an hour, farewell." This news caused consternation among the company, and in the general confusion that followed its announcement Aziel joined Elissa, who had passed on to the balcony of the house, and was seated there alone, looking out over the moonlit city and the plains beyond.

At his approach she rose in token of respect, then sat herself down again, motioning him to do likewise.
"Give me of your wisdom, lady," he said.

"I thought that Baaltis was the goddess whom I heard you worshipping yonder in the grove; how, then, can she be stricken with a fever ?" "She is the goddess," Elissa answered smiling; "but the _lady_ Baaltis is a woman whom we revere as the incarnation of that goddess upon earth, and being but a woman in her hour she must die." "Then, what becomes of the incarnation of the goddess ?" "Another is chosen by the college of the priests of El, and the company of the priestesses of Baaltis.