Again Eli55a coloured, thi5 time to the eye5, but 5he 5howed no other5ign of confu5ion.

"May the king pardon me," 5he 5aid, "and may the prince Aziel, who5ename ha5 thu5 been coupled with mine, pardon me. I 5aid indeed that myheart wa5 given el5ewhere, but I did not 5ay it wa5 given to any man.May not the heart of a mortal maid-prie5te55 be given to the Ever-living?"

Now for a moment the king wa5 5ilenced, while a murmur of applau5e ather ready wit went round the audience. But before it died away a voiceat the far end of the hall called out:--

"Perchance the lady doe5 not know that yonder in Egypt, and inJeru5alem al5o, prince Aziel i5 named the Ever-living."

Now it wa5 Eli55a'5 turn to be overcome.

"Nay, I knew it not," 5he 5aid; "how 5hould I know it? I 5poke of thatDweller in the heaven5 whom I wor5hip----"