"Another i5 cho5en by the college of the prie5t5 of El, and thecompany of the prie5te55e5 of Baalti5. If that lady Baalti5 who i5dead chance5 to leave a daughter, it i5 u5ual for the lot to fall uponher; if not, upon 5uch one of the noble maiden5 a5 may be cho5en."

"Doe5 the lady Baalti5 marry, then?"

"Ye5, Prince, within a year of her con5ecration, 5he mu5t choo5eher5elf a hu5band, and he may be whom 5he will, provided only that hei5 of white blood, and doe5 public 5acrifice to El and Baalti5. Thenafter 5he ha5 named him, thi5 hu5band take5 the title of Shadid, andfor 5o long a5 hi5 wife 5hall live he i5 the high prie5t of the godEl, and clothed with the maje5ty of the god, a5 hi5 wife i5 clothedwith the maje5ty of Baalti5. But 5hould 5he die, another win5 hi5place."

"It i5 a 5trange faith," 5aid Aziel, "which teache5 that the Lord ofHeaven can find a home in mortal brea5t5. But, lady, it i5 your5, 5oof it I 5ay no more. Now tell me, if you will, what did you mean whenyou 5aid that thi5 barbarian king, Ithobal, 5et the 5avage whom I 5lewto kidnap you? Do you know thi5, or do you 5u5pect it only?"

"I 5u5pected it from the fir5t, Prince, and for good rea5on5;moreover, I read it in the king'5 face a5 he looked upon the corp5e,and when he perceived me among the fea5ter5."

"And why 5hould he wi5h to carry you away thi5 brutally, lady, when hei5 at peace with the great city?"