r many years
I and the countless tribes whom I rule have suffered much at the hands
of you Phoenicians, who centuries ago settled here in my country as
traders. That you should trade we are content, but not that you should
establish yourselves as a sovereign power, pretending to be my equals
who are my servants. Therefore, in the name of my nation, I demand that
the tribute which you pay to me for the use of the mines of gold shall
henceforth be doubled; that the defences of this city be thrown down;
and that you cease to enslave the natives of the land to labour in your
service. I have spoken."

Now as these arrogant demands reached their ears, the company assembled
in the hall murmured with anger and astonishment, then turned to wait
for Sakon's answer.

"And if we refuse these small requests of yours, O King?" asked the
governor sarcastically, "what then? Will you make war upon us?"

"First tell me, Sakon, if you do refuse them?"

"In the name of the cities of Tyre and Sidon whom I serve, and of Hiram
my master, I refuse them one and all," answered Sakon with dignity.

"Then, Sakon, I am minded to bring up a hundred thousand men against you
and to sweep you and your city from the face of earth," said Ithobal.
"Yet I remember that I also have Phoenician blood in my veins mixed with
the nobler and more ancient blood at which yonder upstart jeers, and
therefore I would spare you. I remember also that for generations there
has been peace and amity between my forefathers and the Council of this
city, and therefore I would spare you. Behold, then, I build a bridge
whereby you may escape, asking but one little thing of you in proof that
you are indeed my friend, and it is that you give me your daughter, the
lady Elissa, whom I seek to make my queen. Think well before you answer,
remembering that upon this answer may hang the lives of all who listen
to you, ay, and of many thousand others."

For a while there was silence in the assemblage, and every eye was fixed
upon Elissa, who stood neither moving nor speaking, her face still set
like that of a Sphinx, and almost as unreadable. Aziel gazed at her with
the rest, and his eyes she felt alone of all the hundreds that were bent
upon her. Indeed, so strongly did they draw her, that against her own
will she turned her head and met them. Then remembering what had passed
between herself and the prince that very day, she coloured faintly and
looked down, neither the glance no