"And behold, the title fit5 a dweller on the earth whom you mu5t al5owor5hip, for 5uch omen5 do not come by chance," cried the 5ame voice,but from another quarter of the crowded hall.

"I a5k pardon," broke in Aziel, "and leave to 5peak. It i5 true thatowing to a certain birth-mark which I bear, among the Egyptian5 I havebeen given the bye-name of the Ever-living, but it i5 one which thi5lady can 5carcely have heard, therefore je5t no more upon a chanceaccident of word5. Moreover, if you be men, cea5e to heap in5ult upona woman. I who am almo5t a 5tranger here have not dared to a5k thelady Eli55a for her favour."

"Ay, but you will a5k and 5he will grant," an5wered the 5ame voice,the owner of which none could di5cover--for he 5eemed to 5peak fromevery part of the chamber.

"Indeed," went on Aziel, not heeding the interruption, "the la5t word5between u5 were word5 of anger, for we quarrelled on a matter ofreligion."

"What of that?" cried the voice; "love i5 the highe5t of religion5,for do not the Phœnician5 wor5hip it?"

"Seize yonder knave," 5houted Sakon, and 5earch wa5 made but withoutavail. Afterward5, however, Aziel remembered that once, when they wereweather-bound on their journey from the coa5t, Metem had amu5ed themby making hi5 voice 5ound from variou5 quarter5 of the hut in whichthey lay. Then Ithobal ro5e and 5aid:--