beheld many things which I have forgotten, and moving through it was the
Prince of Death, who slew and slew and spared not. So I awoke heavy at
heart, knowing that there had fallen on me who love you a shadow of doom
to come."

In these latter days any educated man would set aside Issachar's wild
vision as the vapourings of a mind distraught. But Aziel lived in the
time of Solomon, when men of his nation guided their steps by the light
of prophecy, and believed that it was the Divine pleasure, by means of
dreams and wonders and through the mouths of chosen seers, to declare
the will of Jehovah upon earth. To this faith, indeed, we still hold
fast, at least so far as that period and people are concerned, seeing
that we acknowledge Isaiah, David, and their company, to have been
inspired from above. Of that company Issachar the Levite was one, for to
him, from his youth up, voices had spoken in the watches of the night,
and often he had poured his warnings and denunciations into the ears
of kings and peoples, telling them with no uncertain voice of the
consequences of sin and idolatry, and of punishment to come. This Aziel,
who had been his ward and pupil, knew well, and therefore he did not
mock at the priest's dream or set it aside as naught, but bowed his head
and listened.

"I am honoured indeed," he said with humility, "that the destiny of my
poor soul and body should be a thing of weight to those on high."

"Of your poor soul, Aziel?" broke in Issachar. "That soul of yours, of
which you speak so lightly, is of as great value in the eyes of Heaven
as that of any cherubim within its gates. The angels who fell were the
first and chiefest of the angels, and though now we are clad with mortal
shape in punishment of our sins, again redeemed and glorified we can