"Has Ithobal then withdrawn his suit ?" "Nay, lady; it is not of Ithobal that the messengers come to speak." "Then I cannot receive them," she said, sinking back in apprehension.

"I am still ill and weak, and I pray to be excused." "Nay, lady," answered the herald, "that which they have to tell will cure your sickness." Again Elissa protested.

Before the words had left her lips there appeared in the doorway he who had been husband of the dead Baaltis, followed by priests and priestesses, by Sakon her father, with whom was Metem, and many other nobles and dignitaries.
"All hail, lady!" they cried, prostrating themselves before her.

"All hail, lady, chosen of the gods!" Elissa looked at them bewildered.
"Your pardon," she said, "I do not understand." Then, rising from his knees, he who was still the Shadid until his successor was appointed, addressed her as spokesman.
"Listen," he said, "and learn, lady, the great thing that has befallen you.

Know, O divine One, that by the inspiration of El and Baaltis, rulers of the heavens, the colleges of the priests and priestesses of the city, following the voice of the oracles and the pointing of the omens, have set you in that high place which death has emptied.