“May Ormuszd hear and give his blessing!” said Cambyses.  “I rejoice, mother, that my wife pleases you, and I know that when once she becomes familiar with our manners and customs she will be happy here.  If Nitetis pay due heed, our marriage can be celebrated in four months.”

“But the law—­” began his mother.

“I command—­in four months, and should like to see him who dare raise an objection.  Farewell!  Nebenchari, use your best skill for the queen’s eyes, and if my wife permit, you, as her countryman, may visit her to-morrow.  Farewell!  Bartja sends his parting greetings.  He is on the road to the Tapuri.”

Atossa wiped away a tear in silence, but Kassandane answered:  “You would have done well to allow the boy to remain here a few months longer.  Your commander, Megabyzus, could have subdued that small nation alone.”

“Of that I have no doubt,” replied the king, “but Bartja desired an opportunity of distinguishing himself in the field; and for that reason I sent him.”

“Would he not gladly have waited until the war with the Massageta; where more glory might be gained?” asked the blind woman.

“Yes,” said Atossa, “and if he should fall in this war, you will have deprived him of the power of fulfilling his most sacred duty, of avenging the soul of our father!”

“Be silent!” cried Cambyses in an overbearing tone, “or I shall have to teach you what is becoming in women and children.  Bartja is on far too good terms with fortune to fall in the war.  He will live, I hope, to deserve the love which is now so freely flung into his lap like an alms.”

“How canst thou speak thus?” cried Kassandane.  “In what manly virtue is Bartja wanting?  Is it his fault, that he has had no such opportunity of distinguishing himself in the field as thou hast had?  You are the king and I am bound to respect your commands, but I blame my son for depriving his blind mother of the greatest joy left to her in her old age.  Bartja would have gladly remained here until the Massagetan war, if your self-will had not determined otherwise.”

“And what I will is good!” exclaimed Cambyses interrupting his mother, and pale with anger, “I desire that this subject be not mentioned again.”

So saying, he left the room abruptly and went into the reception-hall, followed by the immense retinue which never quitted him, whithersoever he might direct his steps.

An hour passed, and still Nitetis and the lovely Atossa were sitting side by side, at the feet of the queen.  The Persian women listened eagerly to all their new friend could tell them about Egypt and its wonders.