For a moment there was silence, which Aziel broke, saying:--

"It seems to me, Issachar, that you are somewhat over zealous for my
welfare."

"I think otherwise, Prince," replied the Levite sternly. "Did not your
grandsire give you into my keeping, and shall I not be faithful to my
trust, and to a higher duty than any which he could lay upon me?"

"Your meaning, Issachar?"

"It is plain, Prince; but I will set it out. The great king said to me
yonder in the hall of his golden palace at Jerusalem, 'To others, men of
war, I have given charge of the body of my grandson to keep him safe. To
you, Issachar the Levite, who have fostered him, I give charge over
his soul to keep it safe--a higher task, and more difficult. Guard him,
Issachar, from the temptation of strange doctrines and the whisperings
of strange gods, but guard him most of all from the wiles of strange
women who bow the knee to Baal, for such are the gate of Gehenna upon
earth, and those who enter by it shall find their place in Tophet.'"

"Truly my grandsire speaks wisely on this matter as on all others,"
answered Aziel, "but still I do not understand."

"Then I will be more clear, Prince. How comes it that I find you
alone with this beautiful sorceress, this worshipper of the she-devil,
Baaltis, with whom you should scorn even to speak, except such words as
courtesy demands?"

"Is it then forbidden to me," asked Aziel angrily, "to talk with the