pprobation."

"In this I will strive to do the will of my kind uncle. I will call
together my council, and the thing shall soon be accomplished."

. . . . . . .

In the mansion of one of the presidents, in a delightful part of the city
of Babylon, sat together two men in deep and earnest conversation. One of
these, whose name was Kinggron, was the owner of the superb mansion. The
other, whose name was Fraggood, was his fellow president, under Daniel.
On some point of great moment they appeared to be well agreed; while
envy, mingled with anger, rested on each countenance.

"The king will soon be again in Babylon," said Kinggron, "and there is no
time to be lost. Whatever measure we resort to in order to replace this
old Hebrew, whose eye is upon us continually, must be attended to without
delay, for the king's stay among us will be of short duration."

"As soon as our companions come, I trust we shall be able to contrive
some measure that will remove this ever-watchful old Israelite far out of
our way. Does it not ill become the wisdom of Cyrus the Persian to place
over our heads this exacting old stranger, who is neither a Persian,
Mede, nor even a Chaldean, but a Hebrew, brought to the country as a
captive of war--and behold, surely he stands next to the king! One year
has gone. We have borne our grief in painful silence. The time for action
has arrived--he must be removed. Our combined wisdom must be brought to
bear on this one point, and no rest must we find until it is fully
accomplished."

The door opened and four persons silently walked into the apartment. They
were of middle age, and appeared to be on familiar terms with the two
presidents. They were all Medes, and appeared to be princes of the
provinces, and it was very soon evident that with the two superior
officers they were favorites.

"Let it be well understood," said Kinggron, "that this Daniel is greatly
in the favor of Cyrus; and, moreover, that he stands high in the
estimation of the king. Of Cyrus we have no present fear, seeing he is
out in the wars. This is well, for before him we would not dare to
complain. The king is in possession of far less power of discernment than
he, and with him, I trust, we must be successful."

"But," answered Bimbokrak, "we must have some cause--something specific to
offer as a ground of complaint against him before the king, or the
movement will utterly fail, and pr