e by the Egyptian girl.

"And lastly," said Croesus, "I have brought some balls and hoops with
me from Sais, that you may be able to amuse yourselves in Egyptian
fashion."

"Balls?" asked Atossa in amazement; "what can we do with the heavy
wooden things?"

"That need not trouble you," answered Croesus, laughing. "The balls I
speak of are pretty little things made of the skins of fish filled with
air, or of leather. A child of two years old can throw these, but you
would find it no easy matter even to lift one of those wooden balls with
which the Persian boys play. Are you content with me, Nitetis?"

[In Persia games with balls are still reckoned among the amusements
of the men. One player drives a wooden hall to the other, as in the
English game of cricket. Chardin (Voyage en Perse. III. p. 226.)
saw the game played by 300 players.]

"How can I thank you enough, my father?"

"And now listen to my plan for the division of your time. In the morning
you will visit Kassandane, chat with Atossa, and listen to the teaching
of your noble mother."

Here the blind woman bent her head in approval. "Towards noon I shall
come to teach you, and we can talk sometimes about Egypt and your loved
ones there, but always in Persian. You would like this, would you not?"

Nitetis smiled.

"Every second day, Oropastes will be in attendance to initiate you in
the Persian religion."

"I will take the greatest pains to comprehend him quickly."

"In the afternoon you can be with Atossa as long as you like. Does that
please you too?"

"O Croesus!" cried the young girl and kissed the old man's hand.

CHAPTER XIV.

The next day Nitetis removed to the country-house in the
hanging-gardens, and began a monotonous, but happy and industrious life
there, according to the rules laid down by Croesus. Every day she was
carried to Kassandane and Atossa in a closely shut-up litter. Nitetis
soon began to look upon the blind queen as a beloved and loving mother,
and the merry, spirited Atossa nearly made up to her for the loss of
her sister Tachot, so far away on the distant Nile. She could not have
desired a better companion than this gay, cheerful girl, whose wit and
merriment effectually prevented homesickness or discontent from settling
in her friend's heart. The gravity and earnestness of Nitetis' character
were brightened by Atossa's gaiety, and Atossa's exuberant spirits
calmed and regulated by the thoughtful nature of