look, for they have never received such presents. Till now only
Kassandane has had a right to wear the purple and diamonds; so by sending
you these gifts, Cambyses places you on a level with his mother, and
chooses you to be his favorite wife before the whole world.' O pray
allow me to dress you in these new and beautiful things. How lovely you
will look! How angry and envious the others will feel! If I could only
be there when you enter the hall! Come, my mistress, let me take off
your simple dress, and array you, (only as a trial you know,) in the
robes that as the new queen you ought to wear."

Nitetis listened in silence to the chattering girl, and admired the gifts
with a quiet smile. She was woman enough to rejoice at the sight, for
he, whom she loved better than life itself, had sent them; and they were
a proof that she was more to the king than all his other wives;--that
Cambyses really loved her. The long wished-for letter fell unread to the
ground, the girl's wish to dress her was granted without a word, and in a
short time the splendid toilette was completed. The royal purple added
to her beauty, the high flashing tiara made her slender, perfect figure
seem taller than it really was, and when, in the metal mirror which lay
on her dressing table, she beheld herself for the first time in the
glorious likeness of a queen, a new expression dawned on her features.
It seemed as if a portion of her lord's pride were reflected there. The
frivolous waiting-woman sank involuntarily on her knees, as her eyes,
full of smiling admiration, met the radiant glance of Nitetis,--of the
woman who was beloved by the most powerful of men.

For a few moments Nitetis gazed on the girl, lying in the dust at her
feet; but soon shook her beautiful head, and blushing for shame, raised
her kindly, kissed her forehead, gave her a gold bracelet, and then,
perceiving her letter on the ground, told her she wished to be alone.