The cavern was fresh, and sweet, and
clean. Heaven smiled upon its pious inmate through an aperture in the
roof; the floor was covered with rushes; in one niche rested a brazen
cross, and in another a perpetual lamp burnt before a picture, where
Madonna smiled with meek tenderness upon her young divinity.
The Eremite placed upon a block of wood, the surface of which he had
himself smoothed, some honey, some dried fish and a wooden bowl filled
from the pure stream that flowed beneath them: a simple meal, but
welcome. His guests seated themselves upon a rushy couch, and while
they refreshed themselves, he gently inquired the history of their
adventures. As it was evident that the Eremite, from her apparel,
mistook the sex of Iduna, Nicaeus thought fit not to undeceive him, but
passed her off as his brother. He described themselves as two Athenian
youths, who had been captured while serving as volunteers under the
great Hunniades, and who had effected their escape from Adrianople
under circumstances of great peril and difficulty; and when he had
gratified the Eremite's curiosity respecting their Christian brethren
in Paynim lands, and sympathetically marvelled with him at the
advancing fortunes of the Crescent, Nicaeus, who perceived that Iduna
stood in great need of rest, mentioned the fatigues of his more fragile
brother, and requested permission for him to retire.
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