Boges followed his master, rubbing his fat hands, and laughing quietly to himself.
The king’s attendants began their work of disrobing him, but he told them angrily to leave him at once. As soon as they were gone, he called Boges and said in a low voice: “From this time forward the hanging-gardens and the Egyptian are under your control. Watch her carefully! If a single human being or a message reaches her without my knowledge, your life will be the forfeit.”
“But if Kassandane or Atossa should send to her?”
“Turn the messengers away, and send word that every attempt to see or communicate with Nitetis will be regarded by me as a personal offence.”
“May I ask a favor for myself, O King?”
“The time is not well chosen for asking favors.”
“I feel ill. Permit some one else to take charge of the hanging-gardens for to-morrow only.”
“No!—now leave me.”
“I am in a burning fever and have lost consciousness three times during the day—if when I am in that state any one should...”
“But who could take your place?”