Greeting to you, holder of the spirit of the goddess! Greeting to the Baaltis!" "I did not seek this honour," she murmured in the silence that followed, "and I refuse it.

The throne of the goddess is Mesa's right; let her take it, or if she will not, then find some other woman who is more worthy." "Lady," said the Shadid, "these words become you well, but it has pleased the gods to choose you and not my daughter, the lady Mesa, or any other woman, and the choice of the gods may not be set aside.

Till death shall take you, you and you alone are the lady Baaltis whom we obey." "Must I then be made divine against my will," she pleaded, and turned to Aziel as though for counsel.
"Be pleased to stand back, prince Aziel," said the stern voice of the Shadid, interposing.

"Remember that henceforth no man may speak to the Baaltis save he whom she names with the name of Shadid to be her husband.

Henceforward you are parted, since to seek her company would be to cause her death." Now understanding that the doom of life-long separation had fallen upon them like the sudden sword of fate, Aziel and Elissa gazed at each other in despair.