in. The Prince lifted her silver
embroidered red cap. Over the graceful shoulders fell a mass of clear gold
hair, so golden one might have hidden shining darics within it. The
shining head pressed against the Persian's breast. In this attitude, with
the loose dress parting to show the tender lines, there could be no doubt
of the other's sex. The Prince laid his hand upon her neck and drew her
bright face nearer.

"This is a mad adventure on which we two have come," he spoke; "how nearly
you were betrayed at the Isthmus, when the Athenian saved you! A blunder
by Hiram, an ill-turn of Fate, will ruin us yet. It is far, Rose of Eran,
from Athens to the pleasant groves of Susa and the sparkling Choaspes."

"But the adventure is ending," answered she, with smiling confidence;
"Mazda has guarded us. As you have said--we are in his hand, alike here and
in my brother's palace. And we have seen Greece and Athens--the country and
city which you will conquer, which you will rule."

"Yes," he said, letting his eyes pass from her face to the vista of the
Acropolis, which lay in fair view under the moonlight. "How noble a city
this! Xerxes has promised that I shall be satrap of Hellas, Athens shall
be my capital, and you, O best beloved, you shall be mistress of Athens."

"I shall be mistress of Athens," echoed she, "but you, husband and lord,
would that men might give you a higher name than satrap, chief of the
Great King's slaves!"

"Xerxes is king," he answered her.

"My brother wears the purple cap. He sits on the throne of Cyrus the Great
and Darius the Dauntless. I would be a loyal Aryan, the king is indeed in
Susa or Babylon. But for me the true king of Media and Persia--is here."
And she lifted proud eyes to her husband.

"You are bold, Rose of Eran," he smiled, not angry at her implication;
"more cautious words than these have brought many in peril of the
bow-string. But, by Mithra the Fiend-Smiter, why were you not made a man?
Then truly would your mother Atossa have given Darius an heir right worthy
the twenty kingdoms!"

She gave a gentle laugh.

"The Most High ordains the best. Have I not the noblest kingdom? Am I not
your wife?"

His laugh answered her.

"Then I am greater than Xerxes. I love my empire the best!"

He leaned again from the lattice, "O, fairest of cities, and we shall win
it! See how the tawny rock turns to silver beneath the moonbeams! How
clearly burn the stars over the plain and the mount