“The Phoenician, Syrian and Ionian ships of war would be quite sufficient to cope with the Egyptian fleet.”

“There you are right; but if Polykrates were to declare against us, we should not be able to hold our own at sea; you say yourself that he is all-powerful in the AEgean.”

“Still I decidedly disapprove of entering into treaty with such a robber.”

“We want powerful allies, and Polykrates is very powerful at sea.  It will be time to humble him, when we have used him to help us in conquering Egypt.  For the present I entreat you to suppress all personal feeling, and keep the success of our great plan alone in view.  I am empowered to say this in the king’s name, and to show his ring in token thereof.”

Oroetes made a brief obeisance before this symbol of despotism, and asked:  “What does Cambyses wish me to do?”

“He commands you to use every means in your power to secure an alliance with the Samian; and also to send your troops to join the main army on the plains of Babylon as soon as possible.”

The satrap bowed and left the room with a look betraying irritation and defiance.

When the echo of his footsteps had died away among the colonnades of the inner court, Zopyrus exclaimed:  “Poor fellow, it’s really very hard for him to have to meet that proud man, who has so often behaved insolently to him, on friendly terms.  Think of that story about the physician for instance.”

“You are too lenient,” interrupted Darius.  “I don’t like this Oroetes.  He has no right to receive the king’s commands in that way.  Didn’t you see him bite his lips till they bled, when Prexaspes showed him the king’s ring?”

“Yes,” cried the envoy, “he’s a defiant, perverse man.  He left the room so quickly, only because he could not keep down his anger any longer.”

“Still,” said Bartja, “I hope you will keep his conduct a secret from my brother, for he has been very good to me.”

Prexaspes bowed, but Darius said:  “We must keep an eye on the fellow.  Just here, so far from the king’s gate and in the midst of nations hostile to Persia, we want governors who are more ready to obey their king than this Oroetes seems to be.  Why, he seems to fancy he is King of Lydia!”

“Do you dislike the satrap?” said Zopyrus.

“Well, I think I do,” was the answer.  “I always take an aversion or a fancy to people at first sight, and very seldom find reason to change my mind afterwards.  I disliked Oroetes before I heard him speak a word, and I remember having the same feeling towards Psamtik, though Amasis took my fancy.”

“There’s no doubt that you’re very different from the rest of us,” said Zopyrus laughing, “but now, to please me, let this poor Oroetes alone.  I’m glad he’s gone though, because we can talk more freely about home.  How is Kassandane? and your worshipped Atossa?  Croesus too, how is he? and what are my wives about?  They’ll soon have a new companion.  To-morrow I intend to sue for the hand of Oroetes’ pretty daughter.  We’ve talked a good deal of love with our eyes already.  I don’t know whether we spoke Persian or Syrian, but we said the most charming things to one another.”