Then, before either of them could speak a word, at a sign from the Shadid, the priestesses closed round Elissa.

Throwing a white veil over her head, they broke into a joyful paean of song, and half-led, half-carried her from the chamber to enthrone her in the palace of the goddess, which was henceforth to be her home.
Presently all the company, including the waiting women, having joined the procession, the chamber was empty, with the exception of Aziel, Metem and Issachar the Levite, who, drawn by the sound of singing, had entered the place unnoticed.
"Take comfort, Prince," said the Phoenician in a half-bantering voice, "if you and the lady Baaltis are truly dear to each other she may still be yours, for you have but to bow the knee to El, and she will name you Shadid and husband." "Blaspheme not," cried Issachar sternly.

"Shall a worshipper of the God of Israel do sacrifice to a demon to win a woman's smile ?" "That time will prove," answered Metem, shrugging his shoulders; "at least it is certain that he will win it in no other way.

Prince," he added, changing his tone, "if you have any such thoughts, abandon them, I pray of you, for on this matter the law may not be broken.

The man spoke truth, moreover, when he told you that should you be found with the Baaltis, not being her husband, you would cause her death." Aziel took no notice of his words, but turning to the Levite, he asked in a quiet voice:-- "Did you plot this to separate us, Issachar?
If so, you shall live to mourn the deed." "Listen, Prince," broke in Metem, "it was not Issachar who plotted that the lady Elissa should be chosen Baaltis, but I, or at least I helped the plot.