“Return then,” said Elissa, “and leave me in peace.  What, you cannot, Mesa?  Nay, and shall I tell you why?  Because you had plotted to deliver me this night to those who should lead me as a peace-offering to Ithobal, and when you come to them empty-handed they will greet you with harsh words.  Nay, do not trouble to deny it, Mesa.  I also have my spies, and know all the plan; and, therefore, I have taken sanctuary in this holy place.”

Now Mesa pressed her thin lips together and answered:—­

“Those who dare to lay hands upon the person of the living Baaltis will not shrink from seeking her in the company of her dead sisters.”

“I know it, Mesa; but the gates are barred, and here I have food and drink in plenty.”

“Gates, however strong, can be broken,” answered the priestess, “so, lady, do not wait till you are dragged hence like some discovered slave.”

“Ay,” replied Elissa, with a little laugh, “but what if rather than be thus dishonoured, I should choose to break another gate, that of my own life?  Look, traitress, here is poison and here is bronze, and I swear to you that should any lay a hand upon me, by one or other of them I will die before their eyes.  Then, if you will, bear these bones to Ithobal and take his thanks for them.  Now, begone, and give this message to my father and to all those who have plotted with him, that since they cannot bribe Ithobal with my beauty, they will do well to be men, and to fight him with their swords.”

Then she turned and left them, vanishing into the darkness of the tomb.

Great indeed was the dismay of the councillors of Zimboe and of the priests who had plotted with them when, an hour later, Mesa came, not to deliver Elissa into their hands, but to repeat to them her threats and message.  In vain did they appeal to Sakon, who only shook his head and answered:—­

“Of this I am sure, that what my daughter has threatened that she will certainly do if you force her to the choice.  But if you will not believe me, go ask her and satisfy yourselves.  I know well what she will answer you, and I hold that this is a judgment upon us, who first made her Baaltis against her will, then threatened her with death because of the prince Aziel, and now would do sacrilege to her sacred office and violence to herself by tearing her from her consecrated throne, breaking her bond of marriage and delivering her to Ithobal.”

So the leaders of the councillors visited the holy tomb and reasoned with Elissa through the bars.  But they got no comfort from her, for she spoke to them with the phial of poison in her bosom and the naked dagger in her hand, telling them what she had told Mesa—­that they had best give up their plottings and fight Ithobal like men, seeing that even if she surrendered herself to him, when he grew weary of her the war must come at last.

“For a hundred years,” she added, “this storm has gathered, and now it must burst.  When it has rolled away it will be known who is master of the land—­the ancient city of Zimboe, or Ithobal king of the Tribes.”