THE RISE OF ISKANDER - Ibiblio

memory of which is indelibly impressed upon my heart, and for which even the present conversation
cannot make me feel less grateful. I can never forget that I owe all that is dear to yourself and your
companion."
18.17 "My companion!" replied the Prince of Athens, pale and passionate. "My companion! Am I
ever to be reminded of my companion ?"
18.18 "Nicæus!" said Iduna; "if you forget what is due to me, at least endeavour to remember what is
due to yourself?"
18.19 "Beautiful being!" said the prince, advancing and passionately seizing her hand; "pardon me!
pardon me! I am not master of my reason; I am nothing, I am nothing while Iduna hesitates!"
18.20 "She does not hesitate, Nicæus. I desire, I require, that this conversation shall cease; shall
never, never be renewed."
18.21 "And I tell thee, haughty woman," said the Prince of Athens, grinding his teeth, and speaking
with violent action, "that I will no longer be despised with impunity. Iduna is mine, or is no one else's."
18.22 "Is it possible?" exclaimed the daughter of Hunniades. "Is it, indeed, come to this? But why am
I surprised! I have long known Nicæus. I quit this castle instantly."
18.23 "You are a prisoner," replied the prince very calmly, and leaning with folded arms against the
wall.
18.24 "A prisoner!" exclaimed Iduna, a little alarmed. "A prisoner! I defy you, sir. You are only a
guest like myself. I will appeal to the Seneschal in the absence of his lord. He will never permit the
honour of his master's flag to be violated by the irrational caprice of a passionate boy."
18.25 "What lord?" inquired Nicæus.
18.26 "Your friend, the Lord Justinian," answered Iduna. "He could little anticipate such an abuse of
his hospitality."
18.27 "My friend, the Lord Justinian!" replied Nicæus, with a malignant smile. "I am surprised that a
personage of the Lady Iduna's deep discrimination should so easily be deceived by 'a passionate boy!' Is
it possible that you could have supposed for a moment that there was any other lord of this castle, save
your devoted slave?"
18.28 "What!" exclaimed Iduna, really frightened.
18.29 "I have, indeed, the honour of finding the Lady Iduna my guest," continued Nicæus, in a tone of
bitter raillery. "This castle of Kallista, the fairest in all Epirus, I inherit from my mother. Of late I have
seldom visited it; but, indeed, it will become a favourite residence of mine, if it be, as I anticipate, the
scene of my nuptial ceremony."
18.30 Iduna looked around her with astonishment, then threw herself upon a couch, and burst into
tears. The Prince of Athens walked up and down the hall with an air of determined coolness.
18.31 "Perfidious!" exclaimed Iduna between her sobs.
18.32 "Lady Iduna," said the prince; and he seated himself by her side. "I will not attempt to palliate a
deception which your charms could alone inspire and can alone justify. Hear me, Lady Iduna, hear me
with calmness. I love you; I love you with a passion which has been as constant as it is strong. My birth,
my rank, my fortunes, do not disqualify me for an union with the daughter of the great Hunniades. If my
personal claims may sink in comparison with her surpassing excellence, I am yet to learn that any other
prince in Christendom can urge a more effective plea. I am young; the ladies of the court have called me
handsome; by your great father's side I have broken some lances in your honour; and even Iduna once
confessed she thought me clever. Come, come, be merciful! Let my beautiful Athens receive a fitting
mistress! A holy father is in readiness dear maiden. Come now, one smile! In a few days we shall reach
your father's camp, and then we will kneel, as I do now, and beg a blessing on our happy union." As he
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