shing, my pretty rose-bud! But the likeness between them
is not quite so great as all that. When I spoke to the high-priest's
brother this morning..."

"Gaumata is here?" interrupted the girl passionately. "Have you really
seen him or are you trying to draw me out and make fun of me?"

"By Mithras! my sweet one, I kissed his forehead this very morning,
and he made me tell him a great deal about his darling. Indeed his blue
eyes, his golden curls and his lovely complexion, like the bloom on
a peach, were so irresistible that I felt inclined to try and
work impossibilities for him. Spare your blushes, my little
pomegranate-blossom, till I have told you all; and then perhaps in
future you will not be so hard upon poor Boges; you will see that he
has a good heart, full of kindness for his beautiful, saucy little
countrywoman."

"I do not trust you," she answered, interrupting these assurances. "I
have been warned against your smooth tongue, and I do not know what I
have done to deserve this kind interest."

"Do you know this?" he asked, showing her a white ribbon embroidered all
over with little golden flames.

"It is the last present I worked for him," exclaimed Mandane.

"I asked him for this token, because I knew you would not trust me. Who
ever heard of a prisoner loving his jailer?"

"But tell me at once, quickly--what does my old playfellow want me to
do? Look, the-western sky is beginning to glow. Evening is coming on,
and I must arrange my mistress's dress and ornaments for the banquet."

"Well, I will not keep you long," said the eunuch, becoming so serious
that Mandane was frightened. "If you do not choose to believe that I
would run into any risk out of friendship to you, then fancy that I
forward your love affair to humble the pride of Oropastes. He threatens
to supplant me in the king's favor, and I am determined, let him plot
and intrigue as he likes, that you shall marry Gaumata. To-morrow
evening, after the Tistar-star has risen, your lover shall come to
see you. I will see that all the guards are away, so that he can come
without danger, stay one hour and talk over the future with you; but
remember, only one hour. I see clearly that your mistress will be
Cambyses' favorite wife, and will then forward your marriage, for she
is very fond of you, and thinks no praise too high for your fidelity
and skill. So to-morrow evening," he continued, falling back into the
jesting tone peculiar to him, "when the