"For the rest, do not think, Metem and Issachar, that I, whom you
betrayed, and the woman you have ruined with a crown of greatness she
did not seek, are clay to be moulded at your will. It is another hand
than yours which fashioned the vessel of our destiny; nor can you stay
our lips from drinking of the pure wine that fills it. Farewell," and
with a grave inclination of the head he left the room.
Metem watched him go, then he turned to Issachar and said:--
"I have earned my hire well, and you must pay the price, but now it
troubles me to think that I touched this business. Why it is I cannot
say, but it comes upon me that the prince speaks truth, and that no plot
of ours can avail to separate these two who were born to each other,
although it well may happen that we shall unite them in death alone.
Issachar," he added with fierce conviction, "I will not take your gold,
for it is the price of blood! I tell you it is the price of blood!"
"Take it or no, as you will, Phoenician," answered the Levite; "at least
I am well pleased that the promise of it bought your service. Even
should the prince Aziel discharge this day's work with his young life,
it is better that he should perish in the body than that he should lose
his soul for the bribe of a woman's passing beauty. Whatever else be
lost, that is saved to him, since those sorceress lips of hers are set
beyond his reach.
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