, they would shine with the gentle light of stars. Even when sitting,
her attitude and height showed a tall and stately figure. Indeed her
entire appearance was worthy the widow of the great and good Cyrus.

On a low seat at her feet, drawing long threads from a golden spindle,
sat the queen's youngest child Atossa, born to her late in life. Cambyses
was standing before her, and behind, hardly visible in the dim light,
Nebenchari, the Egyptian oculist.

As Nitetis entered, Cambyses came towards her and led her to his mother.
The daughter of Amasis fell on her knees before this venerable woman, and
kissed her hand with real affection.

"Be welcome here!" exclaimed the blind queen, feeling her way to the
young girl's head, on which she laid her hand, "I have heard much in your
praise, and hope to gain in you a dear and loving daughter."

Nitetis kissed the gentle, delicate hand again, saying in a low voice: "O
how I thank you for these words! Will you, the wife of the great Cyrus,
permit me to call you mother? My tongue has been so long accustomed to
this sweet word; and now after long weeks of silence, I tremble with joy
at the thought that I may say 'my mother' once more! I will indeed try to
deserve your love and kindness; and you--you will be to me all that your
loving countenance seems to promise? Advise and teach me; let me find a
refuge at your feet, if sometimes the longing for home becomes too
strong, and my poor heart too weak to bear its grief or joy alone. Oh, be
my mother! that one word includes all else!"

The blind queen felt the warm tears fall on her hand; she pressed her
lips kindly on the weeping girl's forehead, and answered: "I can
understand your feelings. My apartments shall be always open to you, my
heart ready to welcome you here. Come when you will, and call me your
mother with the same perfect confidence with which I, from my whole
heart, name you my daughter. In a few months you will be my son's wife,
and then the gods may grant you that gift, which, by implanting within
you the feelings of a mother, will prevent you from feeling the need of
one."

"May Ormuszd hear and give his blessing!" said Cambyses. "I rejoice,
mother, that my wife pleases you, and I know that when once she becomes
familiar with our manners and customs she will be happy here. If Nitetis
pay due heed, our marriage can be celebrated in four months."

"But the law--" began his mother.

"I command--in four months, and