become among the mightiest of their hosts. Oh! my son, I beseech you,
turn from this woman while there yet is time, lest to you her lips
should be a cup of woe and your soul shall pay the price of them,
sharing the hell of the worshippers of Ashtoreth."

"It may be so," said Aziel; "but, Issachar, what said the voice?
That this, the woman of your dream and I were one from the beginning?
Issachar, you believe that the lady Elissa is she of whom the voice
spoke in your sleep and you bid me turn from her because she will bring
me sin and punishment. In truth, if I can, I will obey you, since rather
than forswear my faith, as your dream foretold, I would die a hundred
deaths. Nor do I believe that for any bribe of woman's love I shall
forswear it in act or thought. Yet if such things come about it is fate
that drives me on, not my will--and what man can flee his fate? But even
though this lady be she whom I am doomed to love, you say that because
she is heathen I must reject her. Shame upon the thought, for if she is
heathen it is through ignorance, and it may be mine to change her heart.
Because I stand in danger shall I suffer her who, as you tell me, was
one with me from the beginning, to be lost in that hell of Baal of which
you speak? Nay, your dream is false. I will not renounce my faith, but
rather will win her to share it, and together we shall triumph, and that
I swear to you, Issachar."

"Truly the evil one has many wiles," answered the Levite, "and I did
ill to tell you of my dream, seeing that it can be twisted to serve the
purpose of your madness. Have your will, Aziel, and reap the fruit of
it, but of this I warn you--that while I can find a way to thwart it,
never, Prince, shall you take that witch to your bosom to be the ruin of
your life and soul."