oken bones a patient who is suffering from a disease of the
bowels, even though he should have a first rate knowledge of internal
complaints. This law aims at securing a great degree of real and
thorough knowledge; an aim indeed, pursued by the priests (to whose
caste the physicians belong) with a most praiseworthy earnestness in all
branches of science. Yonder lies the house of the high-priest Neithotep,
whose knowledge of astronomy and geometry was so highly praised, even
by Pythagoras. It lies next to the porch leading into the temple of
the goddess Neith, the protectress of Sais. Would I could show thee the
sacred grove with its magnificent trees, the splendid pillars of the
temple with capitals modelled from the lotus-flower, and the colossal
chapel which I caused to be wrought from a single piece of granite, as
an offering to the goddess; but alas! entrance is strictly refused to
strangers by the priests. Come, let us seek my wife and daughter; they
have conceived an affection for thee, and indeed it is my wish that thou
shouldst gain a friendly feeling towards this poor maiden before she
goes forth with thee to the strange land, and to the strange nation
whose princess she is to become. Wilt thou not adopt and take her under
thy care?"

"On that thou may'st with fullest confidence rely," replied Croesus
with warmth, returning the pressure of Amasis' hand. "I will protect
thy Nitetis as if I were her father; and she will need my help, for the
apartments of the women in the Persian palaces are dangerous ground. But
she will meet with great consideration. Cambyses may be contented with
his choice, and will be highly gratified that thou hast entrusted him
with thy fairest child. Nebenchari had only spoken of Tachot, thy second
daughter."

"Nevertheless I will send my beautiful Nitetis. Tachot is so tender,
that she could scarcely endure the fatigues of the journey and the pain
of separation. Indeed were I to follow the dictates of my own heart,
Nitetis should never leave us for Persia. But Egypt stands in need of
peace, and I was a king before I became a father!"

CHAPTER V.

The other members of the Persian embassy had returned to Sais from their
excursion up the Nile to the pyramids. Prexaspes alone, the ambassador
from Cambyses, had already set out for Persia, in order to inform the
king of the successful issue of his suit.

The palace of Amasis was full of life and stir. The huge building
was filled i