Iskander paced the room with a troubled step and thoughtful brow.
After some minutes he leant down by the Prince of Athens, and
endeavoured to console him.
"It is in vain, Iskander, it is in vain," said Nicaeus. "I wish to
die."
"Were I a favoured lover, in such a situation," replied Iskander, "I
should scarcely consider death my duty, unless the sacrifice of myself
preserved my mistress."
"Hah!" exclaimed Nicaeus, starting from the ground. "Do you conceive,
then, the possibility of rescuing her?"
"If she live, she is a prisoner in the Seraglio at Adrianople. You are
as good a judge as myself of the prospect that awaits your exertions.
It is, without doubt, a difficult adventure, but such, methinks, as a
Christian knight should scarcely shun."
"To horse;" exclaimed Nicaeus, "to horse -- And yet what can I do?
Were she in any other place but the capital I might rescue her by
force, but in the heart of their empire, it is impossible. Is there no
ransom that can tempt the Turk? My principality would rise in the
balance beside this jewel.
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