'
'And what was it?'
'To raise, at Deir el Kamar, the capital of our district, a marble
temple to the Syrian goddess.'
'Beautiful idea!'
'It would have drawn back the mountain to the ancient faith; the Druses
are half-prepared, and wait only my word.'
'But the Nazareny bishops,' said the Queen, 'whom you find so useful,
what will they say?'
'What did the priests and priestesses of the Syrian goddess say, when
Syria became Christian? They turned into bishops and nuns. Let them turn
back again.'
CHAPTER LV.
_Capture of a Harem_
TANCRED and Fakredeen had been absent from Gindarics for two or three
days, making an excursion in the neighbouring districts, and visiting
several of those chieftains whose future aid might be of much importance
to them. Away from the unconscious centre of many passions and
intrigues, excited by the novelty of their life, sanguine of the
ultimate triumph of his manoeuvres, and at times still influenced by
his companion, the demeanour of the young Emir of Lebanon to his friend
resumed something of its wonted softness, confidence, and complaisance.
They were once more in sight of the wild palace-fort of Astarte;
spurring their horses, they dashed before their attendants over the
plain, and halted at the huge portal of iron, while the torches were
lit, and preparations were made for the passage of the covered way.
Pages:
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640