"By the sanctuary of the divine Isis!" cried she, "pious strangers, give offerings to the goddess who guards all creation. The more you give the more happiness and blessing will come to you. For the sanctuary of Mother Isis!" They threw onto her drum coils of copper wire, sometimes a grain of gold. One merchant asked if it were permitted to visit her, to which she nodded with a smile. When she entered the front gallery, Phut of Harran reached for his leather bag and took out a gold ring, saying,-- "Istar is a great and good goddess; take this for her sanctuary." The priestess looked quickly at him and whispered,-- "Anael, Sachiel--" "Amabiel, Abalidot," answered the traveller, in the same low tone. "I see that thou lovest Mother Isis," said the priestess, aloud. "Thou must be wealthy and art bountiful, so it is worth while to soothsay for thee." She sat down near him, ate a couple of dates, and looking at his hand began,-- "Thou art from a distant region, from Bretor and Hagit.[6] Thou hast had a pleasant journey. _For some days the Phœnicians are watching thee_," added she, in a lower voice. [6] The spirits of the northern and eastern parts of the world. "Thou hast come for money, though thou art not a merchant. _Visit me this day after sunset._ Thy wishes will be accomplished," said she, aloud. "They should be accomplished. _I live on the Street of Tombs in the house of the Green Star_," whispered she. "But beware of thieves who are watching for thy property," finished she, seeing that the worthy Asarhadon was listening. "There are no thieves in my house!" burst out the Phœnician. "None steal except those who come from the street." "Be not angry, old man," replied the priestess, jeeringly, "or a red line will come out on thy neck right away; that means an unlucky death." When he heard this, Asarhadon spat three times, and in a low voice repeated a charm against evil predictions. When he had moved away to the depth of the gallery, the priestess began to coquet with the Harran man. She gave him a rose from her crown, embraced him at parting, and went to the other tables. The traveller beckoned to the host. "I wish," said he, "that woman to come to me. Give command to conduct her to my chamber." Asarhadon looked into his eyes, clapped his hands, and burst out laughing. "Typhon has possessed thee, O man of Harran!" cried he. "If anything of that sort happened in my house with an Egyptian priestess, they would drive me out of the city. Here it is permissible to receive only foreign women." "In that case I will go to her," answered Phut, "for she is a wise and devout person, and has told me of many happenings. After sunset thou wilt give me a guide, so that I may not go astray."