econd his suit with Rhodopis.

The old man listened to the youth's passionate language with a smile,
and said: "Ah, Bartja, how often have I warned thee against love! It is
a scorching fire."

"But its flame is bright and beautiful."

"It causes pain."

"But such pain is sweet."

"It leads the mind astray."

"But it strengthens the heart."

"Oh, this love!" cried Rhodopis. "Inspired by Eros, the boy speaks as if
he had been all his life studying under an Attic orator!"

"And yet," answered Croesus, "these lovers are the most unteachable of
pupils. Convince them as clearly as you will, that their passion is
only another word for poison, fire, folly, death, they still cry, 'Tis
sweet,' and will not be hindered in their course."

As he was speaking Sappho came in. A white festal robe, with wide
sleeves, and borders of purple embroidery, fell in graceful folds round
her delicate figure, and was confined at the waist by a golden girdle.
Her hair was adorned with fresh roses, and on her bosom lay her lover's
first gift, the flashing diamond star.

She came up modestly and gracefully, and made a low obeisance to
the aged Croesus. His eyes rested long on the maidenly and lovely
countenance, and the longer he gazed the kindlier became his gaze. For
a moment he seemed to grow young again in the visions conjured up by
memory, and involuntarily he went up to the young girl, kissed her
affectionately on the forehead, and, taking her by the hand, led her to
Bartja with the words: "Take her, thy wife she must be, if the entire
race of the Achaemenidae were to conspire against us!"

"Have I no voice in the matter?" said Rhodopis, smiling through her
tears.

On hearing these words, Bartja and Sappho each took one of her hands,
and gazed entreatingly into her face. She rose to her full stature, and
like a prophetess exclaimed: "Eros, who brought you to each other, Zeus
and Apollo defend and protect you. I see you now like two fair roses on
one stem, loving and happy in the spring of life. What summer, autumn
and winter may have in store for you, lies hidden with the gods. May
the shades of thy departed parents, Sappho, smile approvingly when these
tidings of their child shall reach them in the nether world."

.................................

Three days later a densely packed crowd was once more surging round the
Sais landing-place. This time they had assembled to bid a last farewell
to their king's daughter, and