THE RISE OF ISKANDER - Ibiblio

CHAPTER 17
17.1 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.
17.2 "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!"
17.3 "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."
17.4 "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."
17.5 "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 ?"
17.6 "O! 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."
17.7 "Well-a-day!" exclaimed Iduna, "I would we were in my father's camp!"
17.8 "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."
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