he wife of a Persian monarch? but what was the law to Cambyses? In his
eyes the law was embodied in his own person, and in his opinion three
months would be amply sufficient to initiate Nitetis in the Magian
mysteries, after which process she could become his bride.

To-day his other wives seemed hateful, even loathsome, to him. From
Cambyses' earliest youth his house had been carefully provided with
women. Beautiful girls from all parts of Asia, black-eyed Armenians,
dazzlingly fair maidens from the Caucasus, delicate girls from the
shores of the Ganges, luxurious Babylonian women, golden-haired Persians
and the effeminate daughters of the Median plains; indeed many of the
noblest Achaemenidae had given him their daughters in marriage.

Phaedime, the daughter of Otanes, and niece of his own mother
Kassandane, had been Cambyses' favorite wife hitherto, or at least
the only one of whom it could be said that she was more to him than a
purchased slave would have been. But even she, in his present sated and
disgusted state of feeling, seemed vulgar and contemptible, especially
when he thought of Nitetis.

The Egyptian seemed formed of nobler, better stuff than they all.
They were flattering, coaxing girls; Nitetis was a queen. They humbled
themselves in the dust at his feet; but when he thought of Nitetis,
he beheld her erect, standing before him, on the same proud level as
himself. He determined that from henceforth she should not only occupy
Phaedime's place, but should be to him what Kassandane had been to his
father Cyrus.

She was the only one of his wives who could assist him by her knowledge
and advice; the others were all like children, ignorant, and caring
for nothing but dress and finery: living only for petty intrigues and
useless trifles. This Egyptian girl would be obliged to love him, for he
would be her protector, her lord, her father and brother in this foreign
land.

"She must," he said to himself, and to this despot to wish for a thing
and to possess it seemed one and the same. "Bartja had better take
care," he murmured, "or he shall know what fate awaits the man who dares
to cross my path."

Nitetis too had passed a restless night.

The common apartment of the women was next to her own, and the noise
and singing there had not ceased until nearly midnight. She could often
distinguish the shrill voice of Boges joking and laughing with these
women, who were under his charge. At last all was quiet in