AGAIN the great city of Babylon was all excitement, and expectation was
raised to its highest pitch. The long-expected day had arrived, and the
grand entry of Darius the Mede was momentarily expected by an
enthusiastic and curious throng. By the Babylonians generally, their new
king was regarded in a favorable light. Such had been the profligacy and
tyranny of their late kings, that any change was hailed with gratitude;
and, moreover, the mildness of Darius toward them on a previous
visitation, when accompanied by Cyrus the Persian, had won their regard
and affection. Thousands of the people had gone without the walls to meet
him, and tens of thousands were seen thronging the public grounds in the
vicinity of the royal palaces. At last the monarch's triumphal train
appeared in the distance, the shining spears and bright armor of his
guard glittering in the clear sunbeams. Nearer and nearer they
approached, and entered the city; and, amid enthusiastic shouts, the
monarch was escorted to the royal palace.

Darius the Mede was far from being a man of stern moral worth and true
decision of character. He was rather weak in mind and easily flattered.
Nevertheless he was a man of tender feelings, and cruelty was no part of
his nature. He was greatly elated with the warm reception he had received
at the hands of the Babylonians, and now or never was the time for the
foul conspirators to try their power with the king.

The two presidents, accompanied by the four princes, soon made their
appearance in the presence of the king.

"Welcome into the presence of your sovereign!" said the king in a
pleasant mood. "Let the full desires of your hearts be made known to the
king, and with pleasure he will grant your every wish."