the last night before we parted; she
told me it could bring to its wearer the sweet bliss of love. And then,
Bartja, she wept! I do not know of whom she was thinking in that moment,
but I hope I am acting according to her wishes in giving you her precious
jewel. Take it as a gift from Tachot, and sometimes call to mind our
games in the Sais gardens."

Thus far she had been speaking Greek, but now, addressing the attendants
who remained standing in an attitude of deep reverence, she began in
broken Persian: "Accept my thanks also. In Babylon you shall receive a
thousand gold staters." Then turning to Boges, she added: "Let this sum
be distributed among the attendants at latest by the day after to-morrow.
Take me to my carriage, Croesus."

The old king hastened to do her bidding, and as he was leading her
thither she pressed his arm and whispered gently, "Are you pleased with
me, my father?"

"I tell you, girl," the old man answered, "that no one but the king's
mother can ever be your equal at this court, for a true and queenly pride
reigns on your brow, and you have the power of using small means to
effect great ends. Believe me, the smallest gift, chosen and bestowed as
you can choose and bestow, gives more pleasure to a noble mind than heaps
of treasure merely cast down at his feet. The Persians are accustomed to
present and receive costly gifts. They understand already how to enrich
their friends, but you can teach them to impart a joy with every gift.
How beautiful you are to-day! Are your cushions to your mind, or would
you like a higher seat? But what is that? There are clouds of dust in the
direction of the city. Cambyses is surely coming to meet you! Courage, my
daughter. Above all try to meet his gaze and respond to it. Very few can
bear the lightning glance of those eyes, but, if you can return it freely
and fearlessly, you have conquered. Fear nothing, my child, and may
Aphrodite adorn you with her most glorious beauty! My friends, we must
start, I think the king himself is coming." Nitetis sat erect in her
splendid, gilded carriage; her hands were pressed on her throbbing heart.
The clouds of dust came nearer and nearer, her eye caught the flash of
weapons like lightning across a stormy sky. The clouds parted, she could
see single figures for a moment, but soon lost them as the road wound
behind some thickets and shrubs. Suddenly the troop of horsemen appeared
in full gallop only a hundred paces before her,