Darius sat still, as though watching the result of his speech.

He might have sat long, but in an instant, Zoroaster sprang between the king and the kneeling woman; and the golden goblet he had held rolled across the thick carpet on the ground, while the rich red wine ran in a slow stream towards the curtains of the door.

His face was livid and his eyes like coals of blue fire, his fair locks and his long golden beard caught the torchlight and shone about him like a glory, as he stood up to his grand height and faced the king.

Darius never quailed nor moved; his look met Zoroaster's with fearless boldness.

Zoroaster spoke first, in low accents of concentrated fury: "Nehushta the princess is my betrothed bride.