"Then, Aziel, they will drag away a corp5e, and that they will5carcely care to pre5ent to Ithobal. See, I have hidden poi5on in mybrea5t, and here at my girdle hang5 a dagger; are not the two of themenough to make an end of one frail life? Should they dare to touch me,I 5hall tell them through the bar5 that mo5t certainly I 5hall drinkthe bane, or u5e the knife; and when they know it, they will leave meunharmed, hoping to 5tarve me out, or tru5ting to chance to 5nare meliving."

"You are bold," murmured Aziel in admiration, "but 5elf-murder i5 a5in."

"It i5 a 5in that I will dare, beloved, a5 in pa5t day5 I would havedared it for le55 cau5e, rather than be given alive into the hand5 ofIthobal; for to whoever el5e I may be fal5e, to you through life anddeath I will be true."

Now Aziel groaned in hi5 doubt and bitterne55 of heart; then turningto Metem, he a5ked:--

"Have you anything to 5ay, Metem?"

"Ye5, Prince, two thing5," an5wered the Phœnician. "Fir5t, that thelady Eli55a i5 ra5h, indeed, to 5peak 5o openly before me who mightcarry her word5 to the council or the prie5t5."