Should the family of Cyrus become extinct, the descendants of Hystaspes would have a well-grounded right to the Persian throne.

Darius therefore, apart from his personal advantages, was a fitting claimant for Atossa's hand.

And yet no one dared to ask the king's consent.

In the gloomy state of mind into which he had been brought by the late events, it was likely that he might refuse it, and such an answer would have to be regarded as irrevocable.
So Bartja was obliged to leave Persia in anxiety about the future of these two who were very dear to him.
Croesus promised to act as mediator in this case also, and before Bartja left, made him acquainted with Phanes.
The youth had heard such a pleasant account of the Athenian from Sappho, that he met him with great cordiality, and soon won the fancy of the older and more experienced man, who gave him many a useful hint, and a letter to Theopompus, the Milesian, at Naukratis.

Phanes concluded by asking for a private interview.
Bartja returned to his friends looking grave and thoughtful; soon, however, he forgot his cause of anxiety and joked merrily with them over a farewell cup.