I could escape from this city, or the prince might escape,
or the lady Elissa even might possibly escape disguised, but I am sure
that all three of us could not escape, seeing that within the walls we
are watched and without them the armies of Ithobal await us. Oh! prince
Aziel, I should have done well to go, as I might have gone when you and
Issachar were taken after that mad meeting in the temple, from which I
never looked for anything but ill; but I grow foolish in my old age, and
thought that I should like to see the last of you. Well, so far we are
all alive, except Issachar, who, although bigoted, was still the most
worthy of us, but how long we shall remain alive I cannot say.
"Now our best chance is to defeat Ithobal if we can, and afterwards in
the confusion to fly from Zimboe and join our servants, to whom I have
sent word to await us in a secret place beyond the first range of hills.
If we cannot--why then we must go a little sooner than we expected to
find out who it is that really shapes the destinies of men, and whether
or no the sun and moon are the chariots of El and Baaltis. But, Prince,
you turn pale."
"It is nothing," said Aziel, "bring me some water, the fever still burns
in me."
Metem went to seek for water, while Elissa knelt by the couch and
pressed her lover's hand.
"I dare stay no longer," she whispered, "and Aziel, I know not how or
when we shall meet again, but my heart is heavy, for, alas! I think that
doom draws near me.
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