Elissa; Or, The Doom of Zimbabwe. H. Rider Haggard

and taking from him the power of speech.

      “What was it?” he wondered vaguely. He had seen many lovely faces, and many noble women had shown him favour, but why had none of them stirred him thus? Could it be that this stranger Gentile maiden was his soul-mate—she whom he was destined to love above all upon the earth, nay, whom he did already love, and so soon?

      “Lady,” he said, taking a step towards her, “lady——” and he paused.

      Elissa bowed her dark head till her gold-bedecked and scented hair almost fell upon his feet, but she made no answer.

      Then another voice broke upon the silence, a clear, strident voice that said:—

      “Prince, forgive me, if for the second time to-day I disturb you; but the guests have gone; your chamber is made ready, and, not knowing the customs of the women of this country, I sought you, little guessing that, at such an hour, I should find you alone with one of them.”

      Aziel looked up, although there was no need for him to do so, for he knew that voice well, to see the tall form of the Levite Issachar standing before them, a cold light of anger shining in his eyes.

      Elissa saw also, and, with some murmured words of farewell, she turned and went, leaving them together.