Presently
he had reached the end of it, and was saluting the presence of the
Baaltis by kneeling and touching the carpet with his brow.
"Rise, Metem," said Elissa, "and set out your business, for the hour of
the sunset prayer is at hand, and I cannot talk long with you."
So he rose, and, looking at her while he laid out his store of images,
saw that her face was sad, and that her eyes were full of a strange
fear.
"Lady," he said, "on the second night from now I depart from this city
of yours, and glad shall I be to leave it living. Therefore I have
brought you these four priceless images of the most splendid workmanship
of Tyre, thinking that it might please you to purchase them for the
service of the goddess."
"You depart," she whispered; "alone?"
"No lady, not alone; the holy Issachar goes with me, also the escort of
the prince Aziel--and the prince himself, whose presence is no longer
desired in Zimboe." Here he stopped, for he saw that Elissa was about
to betray her agitation, and whispered, "Be not foolish, for you are
watched; I have a letter for you. Lady," he continued in a louder voice,
"if it will please you to examine this precious image in the light, you
will no longer hesitate or think the price too high," and bowing low he
led the way behind the throne, whither Elissa followed him.
Now they were standing beneath the window-place, which they faced, and
hidden from the gaze of the women by the gilded back of the high seat.
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