A flourish of trumpets announced the return of the Lady Iduna and the
Prince of Athens, magnificently attired, came forward with a smile, and
led her, with a compliment on her resuming the dress of her sex, if
not of her country, to the banquet. Iduna was not uninfluenced by that
excitement which is insensibly produced by a sudden change of scene and
circumstances, and especially by an unexpected transition from hardship,
peril, and suffering, to luxury, security, and enjoyment. Their spirits
were elevated and gay: she smiled upon Nicæus with a cheerful sympathy.
They feasted, they listened to sweet music, they talked over their
late adventures, and, animated by their own enjoyment, they became more
sanguine as to the fate of Iskander.
“In two or three days we shall know more,” said Nicæus. “In the
meantime, rest is absolutely necessary to you. It is only now that you
will begin to be sensible of the exertion you have made. If Iskander be
at Croia, he has already informed your father of your escape; if he
have not arrived, I have arranged that a courier shall be dispatched
to Hunniades from that city. Do not be anxious. Try to be happy. I
am myself sanguine that you will find all well. Come, pledge me your
father’s health, fair lady, in this goblet of Tenedos!”
“How know I that at this moment he may not be at the point of death,”
replied Iduna. “When I am absent from those I love, I dream only of
their unhappiness.”
“At this moment also,” rejoined Nicæus, “he dreams perhaps of your
imprisonment among barbarians. Yet how mistaken! Let that consideration
support you. Come! here is to the Eremite.”
“As willing, if not as sumptuous, a host as our present one,” said
Iduna; “and when, by-the-bye, do you think that your friend, the Lord
Justinian, will arrive?”
“Oh! never mind him,” said Nicæus. “He would have arrived to-morrow, but
the great news which I gave him has probably changed his plans. I told
him of the approaching invasion, and he has perhaps found it necessary
to visit the neighbouring chieftains, or even to go on to Croia.”
“Well-a-day!” exclaimed Iduna, “I would we were in my father’s camp!”
“We shall soon be there, dear lady,” replied the Prince. “Come, worthy
Seneschal,” he added, turning to that functionary, “drink to this noble
lady’s happy meeting with her friends.”