“And if we refuse these small requests of yours, O King?” asked the governor sarcastically, “what then?  Will you make war upon us?”

“First tell me, Sakon, if you do refuse them?”

“In the name of the cities of Tyre and Sidon whom I serve, and of Hiram my master, I refuse them one and all,” answered Sakon with dignity.

“Then, Sakon, I am minded to bring up a hundred thousand men against you and to sweep you and your city from the face of earth,” said Ithobal.  “Yet I remember that I also have Phoenician blood in my veins mixed with the nobler and more ancient blood at which yonder upstart jeers, and therefore I would spare you.  I remember also that for generations there has been peace and amity between my forefathers and the Council of this city, and therefore I would spare you.  Behold, then, I build a bridge whereby you may escape, asking but one little thing of you in proof that you are indeed my friend, and it is that you give me your daughter, the lady Elissa, whom I seek to make my queen.  Think well before you answer, remembering that upon this answer may hang the lives of all who listen to you, ay, and of many thousand others.”

For a while there was silence in the assemblage, and every eye was fixed upon Elissa, who stood neither moving nor speaking, her face still set like that of a Sphinx, and almost as unreadable.  Aziel gazed at her with the rest, and his eyes she felt alone of all the hundreds that were bent upon her.  Indeed, so strongly did they draw her, that against her own will she turned her head and met them.  Then remembering what had passed between herself and the prince that very day, she coloured faintly and looked down, neither the glance nor the blush escaping the watchful Ithobal.

Presently Sakon spoke:—­

“King Ithobal,” he said, “I am honoured indeed that you should seek my daughter as your queen, but she is my only child, whom I love, and I have sworn to her that I will not force her to marry against her will, whoever be the suitor.  Therefore, King, take your answer from her own lips, for whatever it be it is my answer.”

“Lady,” said Ithobal, “you have heard your father’s words; be pleased to say that you look with favour upon my suit, and that you will deign to share my throne and power.”

Elissa took a step forward on the dais and curtseyed low before the king.

“O King!” she said, “I am your handmaid, and great indeed is the favour that you would do your servant.  Yet, King, I Pray of you search out some fairer woman of a more royal rank to share your crown and sceptre, for I am all unworthy of them, and to those words on this matter which I have spoken in past days I have none to add.”  Then again she curtseyed, adding, “King, I am your servant.”

Now a murmur of astonishment went up from the audience, for few of them thought it possible that Elissa, who, however beautiful, was but the daughter of a noble, could refuse to become the wife of a king.  Ithobal alone did not seem to be astonished, for he had expected this answer.