wered, interrupting these assurances. "I
have been warned against your smooth tongue, and I do not know what I
have done to deserve this kind interest."

"Do you know this?" he asked, showing her a white ribbon embroidered all
over with little golden flames.

"It is the last present I worked for him," exclaimed Mandane.

"I asked him for this token, because I knew you would not trust me. Who
ever heard of a prisoner loving his jailer?"

"But tell me at once, quickly--what does my old playfellow want me to do?
Look, the-western sky is beginning to glow. Evening is coming on, and I
must arrange my mistress's dress and ornaments for the banquet."

"Well, I will not keep you long," said the eunuch, becoming so serious
that Mandane was frightened. "If you do not choose to believe that I
would run into any risk out of friendship to you, then fancy that I
forward your love affair to humble the pride of Oropastes. He threatens
to supplant me in the king's favor, and I am determined, let him plot and
intrigue as he likes, that you shall marry Gaumata. To-morrow evening,
after the Tistar-star has risen, your lover shall come to see you. I will
see that all the guards are away, so that he can come without danger,
stay one hour and talk over the future with you; but remember, only one
hour. I see clearly that your mistress will be Cambyses' favorite wife,
and will then forward your marriage, for she is very fond of you, and
thinks no praise too high for your fidelity and skill. So to-morrow
evening," he continued, falling back into the jesting tone peculiar to
him, "when the Tistar-star rises, fortune will begin to shine on you. Why
do you look down? Why don't you answer? Gratitude stops your pretty
little mouth, eh? is that the reason? Well, my little bird, I hope you
won't be quite so silent, if you should ever have a chance of praising
poor Boges to your powerful mistress. And what message shall I bring to
the handsome Gaumata? May I say that you have not forgotten him and will
be delighted to see him again? You hesitate? Well, I am very sorry, but
it is getting dark and I must go. I have to inspect the women's dresses
for the birthday banquet. Ah! one thing I forgot to mention. Gaumata must
leave Babylon to-morrow. Oropastes is afraid, that he may chance to see
you, and told him to return to Rhage directly the festival was over.
What! still silent? Well then, I really cannot help you or that poor
fellow either. But I shall