In silent indignation she closed the shutter, and called her maidens to dress her.

She knew her enemies now--she knew that a thousand dangers surrounded her, and yet she felt proud and happy, for was she not chosen to be the real wife of Cambyses?
Her own worth seemed clearer to her than ever before, from a comparison with these miserable creatures, and a wonderful certainty of ultimate victory stole into her heart, for Nitetis was a firm believer in the magic power of virtue.
"What was that dreadful sound I heard so early ?" she asked of her principal waiting-woman, who was arranging her hair.
"Do you mean the sounding brass, lady ?" "Scarcely two hours ago I was awakened by a strange and frightful sound." "That was the sounding brass, lady.

It is used to awaken the young sons of the Persian nobles, who are brought up at the gate of the king.

You will soon become accustomed to it.

We have long ceased even to hear it, and indeed on great festivals, when it is not sounded, we awake from the unaccustomed stillness.