Baffled, and dark with rage and passion, the
Prince of Athens quitted Iduna, and strolled towards the upper part of
the glen, to conceal his anger and disappointment.
"Eat, gentle youth," said the Eremite. "Will not thy brother join us?
What may be his name?"
"Nicaeus, holy father."
"And thine?"
Iduna blushed and hesitated. At length, in her confusion, she replied,
"Iskander."
"Nicaeus," called out the Eremite, "Iskander and myself await thee!"
Iduna trembled. She was agreeably surprised when the prince returned
with a smiling countenance, and joined in the meal, with many cheerful
words.
"Now I propose" said the Eremite, "that yourself and your brother
Iskander should tarry with me some days, if, indeed, my simple fare
have any temptation."
"I thank thee, holy father," replied Nicaeus, "but our affairs are
urgent; nor indeed could I have tarried here at all, had it not been
for my young Iskander here, who, as you may easily believe, is little
accustomed to his late exertions. But, indeed, towards sunset, we must
proceed.
Pages:
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108