“I hear you,” said the Levite, “but perchance before you throw more sharp words at my head, you will suffer me to speak.  Self-murder is a crime, yet I honour this woman who would shed her own blood, rather than the blood of the innocent in sacrifice to Baal, and who refuses to be given in marriage to one she hates; who, moreover, has found strength and grace to trample on her devil-worship, if so in truth she has.  If therefore she will come with us and we can escape with her, why, let her come.  Only swear to me, Aziel, that you will make no wife of her till the king, your grandsire, has heard this tale and given judgment on it.”

“That I will swear for him,” exclaimed Elissa; “is it not so, Aziel?”

“As you will, lady,” he answered.  “Issachar, you have my word that until then she shall be as my sister, and no more.”

“I hear and I believe you,” said Issachar, adding:  “And now, lady, we go at once, so if you desire to accompany us, come.”

“I am ready,” she replied, “and the hour is well chosen for I shall not be missed till dawn.”

So they turned and left the temple.  None stayed or hindered them, yet although they reached the chambers of Aziel in safety, their hearts, which should have been light, were still heavy with the presage of new sorrow to come.

Scarcely could they have been heavier, indeed, had they seen a white-faced woman creep from the pit of death and follow them stealthily till they had passed from the temple into the palace doors, then turn and run at full speed towards the college of the priests of El.

In the chamber of Aziel they found Metem.

“I rejoice to see you back again in safety, since it is more than I thought to do,” he said, while they entered, adding, as the black-veiled shape of Elissa followed them into the room, “but who is the third?  Ah!  I see, the lady Elissa.  Does the Baaltis accompany us upon our journey?”

“Yes,” answered Aziel shortly.

“Then with her high Grace on the one side and the holy Issachar on the other it should not lack for blessings.  Surely that evil must be great from which, separately or together, they are unable to defend us.  But, lady, if I may ask it, have you bid farewell to your most honoured father?”

“Torment me not,” murmured Elissa.

“Indeed, I did not wish to, though you may remember that not so long ago you threatened to silence me for ever.  Well, doubtless your departure is too hurried for farewells, and, fortunately, foreseeing it, I have provided spare mules.  So my deeds are kinder than my words.  I go to see that all is prepared.  Now eat before you start; presently I will return for you,” and he left the chamber.

When he had gone they gathered round the table on which stood food, but could touch little of it; for the hearts of all three of them were filled with sad forebodings.  Soon they heard a noise as of people talking excitedly outside the palace gates.