“That is because he has observed the ancient customs of his people—to live temperately, uprightly, and energetically.”
“You have said only a part of it. Much is due to his calmness. He never allows passion or prejudice to upset his equanimity. He smiles at all terrors, hardships, or dangers. He accepts that which comes as a duty. His calm is infinite!”
Their attention was now given to a horseman who was toiling slowly up the steep side of the mountain to the citadel. He was dust-covered, and his horse was wet with sweat.
“A messenger!” exclaimed the Prince. “Now perhaps we shall hear the decrees of fate! Ah, Gobryas, you have never known what it is to have the love of such a woman, and be so in danger of losing her! God grant that you may some day know the sweetness of love!”
Gobryas laughed. He twirled the ends of his long mustache and smoothed down the folds of his cloak. “While I have never been as deeply in love as you,” he responded, “yet I know somewhat of it. Has not your Princess a sister? Perhaps she has smiled on me.”
“What! Artistone? She is a sweet child! Has she looked upon you with favor?”
“I have thought so,” admitted Gobryas. “I may be mistaken. She condescended to talk with me sometimes when we were journeying from Bactra with the body of her father. Her smiles and her eyes have led me to believe that she regards me with approval. When I return from the Egyptian campaign, I shall demand leave of the King to speak to her of marriage, if you consent. My family is ancient. I am one of the seven nobles of Persia from whose daughters the kings have often chosen their brides.”
“I will leave no influence untried in your favor,” said the Prince, warmly. “That will be a happy event, if we who have mingled our blood as brothers, should marry sisters! How slow that messenger is! His horse seems to have come far.”
The messenger soon arrived at the citadel wall. Presently he appeared before the Prince, accompanied by a servant who carried his dispatch-bag. The Prince recognized him as one of his father’s messengers, a man who had followed the King of Iran on many campaigns.
“Hail, royal Prince!” exclaimed the messenger, bending his knee. “I bring you greetings from your royal father and letters from him and from Cambyses, the King of Kings, who was kind enough to entrust me with a packet for you.”