Zimboe worshipped Baal, entered the room, and whispered something into
the ear of Sakon which seemed to disturb him much.

"Pardon me, Prince, and you, my guests, if I leave you," said the
governor, "but I have evil tidings that call me to the temple. The lady
Baaltis is seized with the black fever, and I must visit her. For an
hour, farewell."

This news caused consternation among the company, and in the general
confusion that followed its announcement Aziel joined Elissa, who had
passed on to the balcony of the house, and was seated there alone,
looking out over the moonlit city and the plains beyond. At his approach
she rose in token of respect, then sat herself down again, motioning him
to do likewise.

"Give me of your wisdom, lady," he said. "I thought that Baaltis was the
goddess whom I heard you worshipping yonder in the grove; how, then, can
she be stricken with a fever?"

"She is the goddess," Elissa answered smiling; "but the _lady_ Baaltis
is a woman whom we revere as the incarnation of that goddess upon earth,
and being but a woman in her hour she must die."

"Then, what becomes of the incarnation of the goddess?"

"Another is chosen by the college of the priests of El, and the company
of the priestesses of Baaltis. If that lady Baaltis who is dead chances
to leave a daughter, it is usual for the lot to fall upon her; if not,
upon such one of the noble maidens as may be chosen."