Bartja would have gladly remained here until the Massagetan war, if your self-will had not determined otherwise." "And what I will is good!" exclaimed Cambyses interrupting his mother, and pale with anger, "I desire that this subject be not mentioned again." So saying, he left the room abruptly and went into the reception-hall, followed by the immense retinue which never quitted him, whithersoever he might direct his steps.
An hour passed, and still Nitetis and the lovely Atossa were sitting side by side, at the feet of the queen.

The Persian women listened eagerly to all their new friend could tell them about Egypt and its wonders.
"Oh! how I should like to visit your home!" exclaimed Atossa.

"It must be quite, quite different from Persia and everything else that I have seen yet.

The fruitful shores of your great river, larger even than the Euphrates, the temples with their painted columns, those huge artificial mountains, the Pyramids, where the ancient kings be buried--it must all be wonderfully beautiful.

But what pleases me best of all is your description of the entertainments, where men and women converse together as they like.