“Had it not been for this same stone at least the feet of the foolish by now would have pointed skywards.  The gods send me such a stone if ever a black dwarf draws a poisoned arrow at me,” answered Metem, as he busied himself with his drugs.  Then he added, “Nay, Prince, do not stop to answer him, but hold the lady’s hand to the light.”

Aziel obeyed, and having washed out the wound with water, Metem rubbed ointment into it which burnt Elissa so sorely that she groaned aloud.

“Be patient beneath the pain, lady,” he said, “for if it has not already passed into your blood, this salve will eat away the poison of the arrow.”

Then half-leading and half-carrying her, they brought her back to the palace.  Here Metem gave her over into the care of her father, telling him as much of the story as he thought wise, and cautioning him to keep silent concerning what had happened.

At the door of the palace Issachar spoke to Aziel.

“Did I dream, Prince,” he said, “or did my ears indeed hear you tell that idolatress that you loved her for ever, and did my eyes see you kiss her on the lips?”

“It seems that you saw and heard these things, Issachar,” said Aziel, setting his face sternly.  “Now hear this further, and then I pray you give me peace on this matter of the lady Elissa:  If in any way it is possible, I shall make her my wife, and if it be not possible, then for so long as she may live at least I will look upon no other woman.”

“Then that is good news, Prince, to me, who am charged with your welfare, for be sure, if I can prevent you, you shall never mix your life with that of this heathen sorceress.”

“Issachar,” the prince replied, “I have borne much from you because I know well that you love me, and have stood to me in the place of a father.  But now, in my turn, I warn you, do not seek to work harm to the lady Elissa, for in striking her you strike me, and such blows may bring my vengeance after them.”

“Vengeance?” mocked the Levite.  “I fear but one vengeance, and it is not yours, nor do I listen to the whisperings of love when duty points the path.  Rather would I see you dead, prince Aziel, then lured down to hell by the wiles of yonder witch.”

Then before Aziel could answer he turned and left him.

*****

As Issachar went to his own chamber full of bitterness and indignation, he passed the door of Elissa’s apartments, and came face to face with Metem issuing from them.

“Will the woman live?” he asked of him.

“Be comforted, worthy Issachar.  I think so; that is, if the bandage does not slip.  I go to tell the prince.”

“Gladly would I give a hundred golden shekels to him who brought me tidings that it had slipped and the woman with it, down to the arms of her father Beelzebub,” broke in the Levite passionately.

“Pretty words for a holy man,” said Metem, feigning amazement.  “Well, Issachar, I will do most things for good money, but to shift that bandage would be but murder, and this I cannot work even for the gold and to win your favour.”