He wore the straight white tunic, edged about with fine embroideries of gold and gathered at the waist with a rich belt, while his legs were covered with wide Persian trousers wrought in many colours of silk upon fine linen.

He wore also a small cap of linen, stiffened to a point and worked with a cunning design in gold and silver.

But the old man's head was covered only by the thick masses of his snowy hair, and his wide white mantle hid the details of his dress from view.
Again he glanced from the statue to his companion's eyes, and at last he spoke, in a deep smooth voice, in the Hebrew tongue.
"Nebuchadnezzar the king is gathered to his fathers, and his son also, and Nabonnedon Belshazzar reigns in his stead, yet have I endured to this day, in Babylon, these threescore and seven years, since Nebuchadnezzar the king destroyed our place upon the earth and led us away captive.

Unto this day, Zoroaster, have I endured, and yet a little longer shall I stand and bear witness for Israel." The old man's eyes flashed, and his strong aquiline features assumed an expression of intense vitality and life.

Zoroaster turned to him and spoke softly, almost sadly: "Say, O Daniel, prophet and priest of the Lord, why does the golden image seem to smile to-day?
Are the times accomplished of thy vision which thou sawest in Shushan, in the palace, and is the dead king glad?
I think his face was never so gentle before to look upon,--surely he rejoices at the feast, and the countenance of his image is gladdened." "Nay, rather then should his face be sorrowful for the destruction of his seed and of his kingdom," answered the prophet somewhat scornfully.
"Verily the end is at hand, and the stones of Babylon shall no longer cry out for the burden of the sins of Belshazzar, and the people call upon Bel to restore unto life the King Nebuchadnezzar; nay, or to send hither a Persian or a Mede to be a just ruler in the land." "Hast thou read it in the stars, or have thine eyes seen these things in the visions of the night, my master ?" The boy came nearer to the aged prophet and spoke in low earnest tones.