that Cambyses neglects her sadly, and treats her
like a child. But the marriage does not seem to have astonished the
Egyptians, as brothers and sisters often marry here."

"In Persia too," said Darius, putting on an appearance of the most
perfect composure, "marriages with very near relations are thought to be
the best."

"But to return to the king," said Croesus, turning the conversation for
Darius' sake. "I can assure you, Rhodopis, that he may really be called a
noble man. His violent and hasty deeds are repented of almost as soon as
committed, and the resolution to be a just and merciful ruler has never
forsaken him. At supper, for instance, lately, before his mind was
clouded by the influence of wine, he asked us what the Persians thought
of him in comparison with his father."

"And what was the answer?" said Rhodopis. "Intaphernes got us out of the
trap cleverly enough," answered Zopyrus, laughing. "He exclaimed: 'We are
of opinion that you deserve the preference, inasmuch as you have not only
preserved intact the inheritance bequeathed you by Cyrus, but have
extended his dominion beyond the seas by your conquest of Egypt.' This
answer did not seem to please the king, however, and poor Intaphernes was
not a little horrified to hear him strike his fist on the table and cry,
'Flatterer, miserable flatterer!' He then turned to Croesus and asked his
opinion. Our wise friend answered at once: 'My opinion is that you have
not attained to the greatness of your father; for,' added he in a
pacifying tone, 'one thing is wanting to you--a son such as Cyrus
bequeathed us in yourself."

"First-rate, first-rate," cried Rhodopis clapping her hands and laughing.
"An answer that would have done honor to the ready-witted Odysseus
himself. And how did the king take your honeyed pill?"

"He was very much pleased, thanked Croesus, and called him his friend."

"And I," said Croesus taking up the conversation, "used the favorable
opportunity to dissuade him from the campaigns he has been planning
against the long lived Ethiopians, the Ammonians and the Carthaginians.
Of the first of these three nations we know scarcely anything but through
fabulous tales; by attacking them we should lose much and gain little.
The oasis of Ammon is scarcely accessible to a large army, on account of
the desert by which it is surrounded; besides which, it seems to me
sacrilegious to make war upon a god in the hope of obtaining possession
of his trea