Is not Gobryas' little daughter the noblest of all the young Persian girls after Atossa?
and isn't she beautiful ?" "Artystone has every talent and quality that a daughter of the Achaemenidae ought to possess," was Darius's answer, but his brow did not clear as he said the words.
"Well, if you want more than that, you must be very hard to please." Darius raised his goblet and looked down into the wine.
"The boy is in love, as sure as my name is Araspes!" exclaimed the elder man.
"What a set of foolish fellows you are," broke in Zopyrus at this exclamation.

"One of you has remained a bachelor in defiance of all Persian customs; another has been frightened out of marrying by an oracle; Bartja has determined to be content with only one wife; and Darius looks like a Destur chanting the funeral-service, because his father has told him to make himself happy with the most beautiful and aristocratic girl in Persia!" "Zopyrus is right," cried Araspes.

"Darius is ungrateful to fortune." Bartja meanwhile kept his eyes fixed on the friend, who was thus blamed by the others.

He saw that their jests annoyed him, and feeling his own great happiness doubly in that moment, pressed Darius's hand, saying: "I am so sorry that I cannot be present at your wedding.

By the time I come back, I hope you will be reconciled to your father's choice." "Perhaps," said Darius, "I may be able to show a second and even a third wife by that time." "'Anahita' grant it!" exclaimed Zopyrus.