g battles, undying renown and conqueror's laurels to be won by
deeds of arms, and recollections of their former mighty deeds raised the
spirits of the revellers.

The king himself was more moderate than usual to-day, but he encouraged
his guests to drink, enjoying their noisy merriment and overflowing
mirth; taking, however, far more pleasure still in the fascinating beauty
of the Egyptian Princess, who sat at his side, paler than usual, and
thoroughly exhausted by the exertions of the morning and the unaccustomed
weight of the high tiara. He had never felt so happy as on this day. What
indeed could he wish for more than he already possessed? Had not the gods
given him every thing that a man could desire? and, over and above all
this, had not they flung into his lap the precious gift of love? His
usual inflexibility seemed to have changed into benevolence, and his
stern severity into good-nature, as he turned to his brother Bartja with
the words: "Come brother, have you forgotten my promise? Don't you know
that to-day you are sure of gaining the dearest wish of your heart from
me? That's right, drain the goblet, and take courage! but do not ask
anything small, for I am in the mood to give largely to-day. Ah, it is a
secret! come nearer then. I am really curious to know what the most
fortunate youth in my entire kingdom can long for so much, that he
blushes like a girl when his wish is spoken of."

Bartja, whose cheeks were really glowing from agitation, bent his head
close to his brother's ear, and whispered shortly the story of his love.
Sappho's father had helped to defend his native town Phocaea against the
hosts of Cyrus, and this fact the boy cleverly brought forward, speaking
of the girl he loved as the daughter of a Greek warrior of noble birth.
In so saying he spoke the truth, but at the same time he suppressed the
facts that this very father had acquired great riches by mercantile
undertakings.

[The Persians were forbidden by law to contract debts, because
debtors were necessarily led to say much that was untrue. Herod. I.
For this reason they held all money transactions in contempt, such
occupations being also very uncongenial to their military tastes.
They despised commerce and abandoned it to the conquered nations.]

He then told his brother how charming, cultivated and loving his Sappho
was, and was just going to call on Croesus for a confirmation of his
words, when Cambyses interrupted h