How comes it that I find you alone with this beautiful sorceress, this worshipper of the she-devil, Baaltis, with whom you should scorn even to speak, except such words as courtesy demands ?" "Is it then forbidden to me," asked Aziel angrily, "to talk with the daughter of my host, a lady whom I chanced to save from death, of the customs of her country and the mysteries of worship ?" "The mysteries of worship!" answered Issachar scornfully.

"Ay! the mysteries of the worship of that fair body of hers, that ivory chalice filled with foulness--whereof, if a man drink, his faith shall be rotted and his soul poisoned.

The mysteries of that worship was it, Prince, that caused you but now to lean towards this woman as though to embrace her, with words of love burning in your heart if not between your lips?
Ah! these witches of Baaltis know their trade well; they are full of evil gifts, and of the wisdom given to them by the fiend they serve.
With touch and sigh and look they can stir the blood of youth, having much practice in the art, till it seethes within the veins and drowns conscience in its flood.
"Nay, Prince, hear the truth," continued Issachar.

"Till moonrise you had never seen this woman, and now your quick blood is aflame, and you love her.

Deny it if you can--deny it on your honour and I will believe you, for you are no liar." Aziel thought for a moment and answered:-- "Issachar, you have no right to question me on this matter, yet since you have adjured me by my honour, I will be open with you.