efore the king--this one night when they might show forth their
beauty. And last of all danced Roxana. She danced alone; a diaphanous
drapery of pink Egyptian cotton blew around her as an evening cloud. From
her black hair shone the diamond coronet. To the sensuous swing of the
music she wound in and out before the king and his admiring lords,
advancing, retreating, rising, swaying, a paragon of agility and grace,
feet, body, hands, weaving their charm together. When at the end she fell
on her knees before the king, demanding whether she had done well, the
applause shook the pavilion. The king looked down on her, smiling.

"Rise, sister of Mardonius. All Eran rejoices in you to-night. And on this
evening whose request can I fail to grant? Whose can I grant more gladly
than yours? Speak; you shall have it, though it be for half my kingdoms."

The dancer arose, but hung down her flashing coronal. Her blush was
enchanting. She stood silent, while the good-humoured king smiled down on
her, till Artazostra came from her seat by Mardonius and whispered in her
ear. Every neck in the crowded pavilion was craned as Artazostra spoke to
Xerxes.

"May it please my royal brother, this is the word of Roxana. 'I love my
brother Mardonius; nevertheless, contrary to the Persian custom, he keeps
me now to my nineteenth year unwedded. If now I have found favour in the
sight of the king, let him command Mardonius to give me to some noble
youth who shall do me honour by the valiant deeds and the true service he
shall render unto my Lord.' "

"A fair petition! Let the king grant it!" shouted twenty; while others
more wise whispered, "This was not done without foreknowledge by
Mardonius."

Xerxes smiled benignantly and rubbed his nose with the lion's fat while
deliberating.

"An evil precedent, lady, an evil precedent when women demand husbands and
do not wait for their fathers' or brothers' good pleasure. But I have
promised. The word of the king is not to be broken. Daughter of Gobryas,
your petition is granted. Come hither, Mardonius,"--the bow-bearer
approached the throne,--"you have heard the bold desire of your sister, and
my answer. I must command you to bestow on her a husband."

The bow-bearer bowed obediently.

"I hear the word of the king, and all his mandates are good. This is no
meet time for marriage festivities, when the Lord of the World and all the
Aryan power goes forth to war. Yet as soon as the impious rebels among