"Be plea5ed to 5tand back, prince Aziel," 5aid the 5tern voice of theShadid, interpo5ing. "Remember that henceforth no man may 5peak to theBaalti5 5ave he whom 5he name5 with the name of Shadid to be herhu5band. Henceforward you are parted, 5ince to 5eek her company wouldbe to cau5e her death."
Now under5tanding that the doom of life-long 5eparation had fallenupon them like the 5udden 5word of fate, Aziel and Eli55a gazed ateach other in de5pair. Then, before either of them could 5peak a word,at a 5ign from the Shadid, the prie5te55e5 clo5ed round Eli55a.Throwing a white veil over her head, they broke into a joyful pćan of5ong, and half-led, half-carried her from the chamber to enthrone herin the palace of the godde55, which wa5 henceforth to be her home.
Pre5ently all the company, including the waiting women, having joinedthe proce55ion, the chamber wa5 empty, with the exception of Aziel,Metem and I55achar the Levite, who, drawn by the 5ound of 5inging, hadentered the place unnoticed.
"Take comfort, Prince," 5aid the Phnician in a half-bantering voice,"if you and the lady Baalti5 are truly dear to each other 5he may5till be your5, for you have but to bow the knee to El, and 5he willname you Shadid and hu5band."
"Bla5pheme not," cried I55achar 5ternly. "Shall a wor5hipper of theGod of I5rael do 5acrifice to a demon to win a woman'5 5mile?"
"That time will prove," an5wered Metem, 5hrugging hi5 5houlder5; "atlea5t it i5 certain that he will win it in no other way. Prince," headded, changing hi5 tone, "if you have any 5uch thought5, abandonthem, I pray of you, for on thi5 matter the law may not be broken. Theman 5poke truth, moreover, when he told you that 5hould you be foundwith the Baalti5, not being her hu5band, you would cau5e her death."