ne court, and married to two royal brothers. But as the days
went by, the visits of the handsome prince became more and more rare, and
when he did come, his behavior to Tachot was cold and distant. Yet the
poor girl could not but confess that Bartja had grown handsomer and more
manly during his stay in Egypt. An expression of proud and yet gentle
consciousness lay beaming in his large eyes, and a strange dreamy air of
rest often took the place of his former gay spirits. His cheeks had lost
their brilliant color, but that added to his beauty, while it lessened
hers, who, like him, became paler from day to day.

Melitta, the old slave, had taken the lovers under her protection. She
had surprised them one morning, but the prince had given her such rich
presents, and her darling had begged, flattered and coaxed so sweetly,
that at last Melitta promised to keep their secret, and later, yielding
to that natural impulse which moves all old women to favor lovers, had
even given them every assistance in her power. She already saw her "sweet
child" mistress of a hemisphere, often addressed her as "my Princess" and
"my Queen" when none were by to hear, and in many a weak moment imagined
a brilliant future for herself in some high office at the Persian court.

ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:

A kind word hath far more power than an angry one
Abuse not those who have outwitted thee
Cannot understand how trifles can make me so happy
Confess I would rather provoke a lioness than a woman
Curiosity is a woman's vice
I cannot. . . . Say rather: I will not
In this immense temple man seemed a dwarf in his own eyes
Know how to honor beauty; and prove it by taking many wives
Mosquito-tower with which nearly every house was provided
Natural impulse which moves all old women to favor lovers
Sent for a second interpreter
Sing their libels on women (Greek Philosophers)
Those are not my real friends who tell me I am beautiful
Young Greek girls pass their sad childhood in close rooms

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

By Georg Ebers

Volume 4.

CHAPTER XI.

Three days before the time fixed for the departure of Nitetis, Rhodopis
had invited a large number of guests to her house at Naukratis, amongst
whom Croesus and Gyges were included.

The two lovers had agreed to meet in the garden, protected by the
darkness and the old slave, while the guests were occupied a