"Does the lady Baaltis marry, then?"

"Yes, Prince, within a year of her consecration, she must choose herself
a husband, and he may be whom she will, provided only that he is of
white blood, and does public sacrifice to El and Baaltis. Then after she
has named him, this husband takes the title of Shadid, and for so long
as his wife shall live he is the high priest of the god El, and clothed
with the majesty of the god, as his wife is clothed with the majesty of
Baaltis. But should she die, another wins his place."

"It is a strange faith," said Aziel, "which teaches that the Lord of
Heaven can find a home in mortal breasts. But, lady, it is yours, so of
it I say no more. Now tell me, if you will, what did you mean when you
said that this barbarian king, Ithobal, set the savage whom I slew to
kidnap you? Do you know this, or do you suspect it only?"

"I suspected it from the first, Prince, and for good reasons; moreover,
I read it in the king's face as he looked upon the corpse, and when he
perceived me among the feasters."

"And why should he wish to carry you away this brutally, lady, when he
is at peace with the great city?"

"Perchance, Prince, after what passed to-night you can guess," she
answered lowering her eyes.

"Yes, lady, I can guess, and though it is shameful that such an one
should dare to think of you, still, since he is a man, I cannot blame
him overmuch. But why should he press his suit in this rough and secret
fashion instead of openly as a king might do?"