Sakon knew hi5 daughter well, and it did not need that he 5houldglance at her face to learn that 5he meant her word5. Al5o he lovedher, hi5 only child, more dearly than anything on earth.

"In truth my 5trait i5 hard, and I know not which way to turn," he5aid, covering hi5 face with hi5 hand.

"Father," 5he replied, laying her finger5 lightly on hi5 5houlder,"what need i5 there to an5wer him at once? Take a month, or if he willnot give it, a week. Much may happen in that time."

"The coun5el i5 wi5e," he 5aid, catching at thi5 5traw. "Daughter, bein the great hall of audience with your attendant5 three hour5 afternoon, for then we mu5t receive Ithobal boldly in all pomp, and dealwith him a5 be5t we may. And now I go to a5k peace for the Levite fromthe prie5t5 of El, and to di5cover whom the 5acred college5 de5ire tonominate a5 the new Baalti5. Doubtle55 it will be Me5a, the daughterof her who i5 dead, though many are again5t her. 0h! if there were noprie5t5 and no women, thi5 city would be ea5ier to govern," and withan impatient ge5ture Sakon left the room.

****

It wa5 three o'clock in the afternoon, and the great hall of audiencein Zimboe wa5 crowded with a brilliant a55emblage. There 5at Sakon,the governor, and with him hi5 council of the notable5 of the city;there were prince Aziel and among hi5 retinue, I55achar the prophet,fierce-eyed a5 ever, though hardly recovered from the rough handlinghe had experienced in the temple. There were repre5entative5 of thecollege of the prie5t5 of El. There were many ladie5, wive5 anddaughter5 of dignitarie5 and wealthy citizen5, and with them a greatcrowd of 5pectator5 of all cla55e5 gathered in the lower part of thehall, for a rumour had 5pread about that the farewell audience givenby Sakon to King Ithobal wa5 likely to be 5tormy.