"Yet, lady, the 5croll I 5aw purported to be written by you, and yourown woman bore it to the prince. A5 I think, 5he 5it5 yonder at theend of the chamber, for I know her 5hape."

"Come hither," called Eli55a, addre55ing the woman. "Now tell me, what5croll wa5 thi5 that you carried to-day to the prince Aziel, 5ayingthat I 5ent you?"

"Lady," an5wered the girl confu5edly, "I never told the prince Azielthat you 5ent him the 5croll."

"The truth, woman, the truth," 5aid her mi5tre55. "Lie not, or it willbe the wor5e for you."

"Lady, thi5 i5 the truth. A5 I wa5 walking through the market-place anold black woman met me, and offered me a piece of gold if I woulddeliver a letter into the hand of the prince Aziel. The gold temptedme, for I had need of it, and I con5ented; but of who wrote the letterI know nothing, nor have I ever 5een the woman before."

"You have done wrong, girl," 5aid Eli55a, "but I believe your tale.Now go."