The prince pointed to two objects that were visible in the starlight, and answered:—
“Thither, at the foot of the pillar of El.”
“Ah! I remember,” said Issachar, “where the accursed woman would have offered sacrifice, and the priests struck me down because I prophesied to them of the wrath to come, and that is now at hand. An ill-omened spot, indeed, and an ill-omened tryst with the fiends for witnesses. Well, lead on, and I pray you to be brief as may be, for this place weighs down my soul, and I feel danger in it—danger to the body and the spirit.”
So they went forward. “Be careful,” whispered Aziel presently. “The pit of sacrifice is at your feet.”
“Yes, yes,” he answered, “we walk upon the edge of the pit, and, in truth, I grow fearful, for at the threshold of such places the angel of the Lord deserts us.”
“There is nothing to fear,” said Aziel. But even as he spoke, although he could not see it, a white face rose above the edge of the pit, like that of some ghost struggling from the tomb, watched them a moment with cold eyes, then disappeared again.
Now they were near the greater pillar, and now from its shadow glided a black-veiled shape.
“Elissa?” murmured Aziel.
“It is I,” whispered a soft voice; “but who comes with you?”
“I, Issachar,” said the Levite, “who would not suffer that he of whom I am given charge should seek such company alone. Now, priestess, say your say with the prince yonder and let us be gone swiftly from this blood-stained place.”