rselves."

"Alas!" exclaimed the prince, "I can no longer control my passion. My
life, not my happiness merely, depends upon Iduna becoming mine. Bear
with me, my beloved, bear with me! Were you Nicaeus, you too would need
forgiveness."

"I beseech you, cease!" exclaimed Iduna, in a firmer voice; and,
withdrawing her hand, she suddenly rose. "This is neither the time nor
place for such conversation. I have not forgotten that, but a few days
back, I was a hopeless captive, and that my life and fame are even now
in danger. Great mercies have been vouchsafed to me; but still I perhaps
need the hourly interposition of heavenly aid. Other than such worldly
thoughts should fill my mind, and do. Dear Nicaeus," she continued, in a
more soothing tone, "you have nobly commenced a most heroic enterprise:
fulfil it in like spirit."

He would have replied; but at this moment the staff of the Eremite
sounded among the rocks. 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."

"Bearing with us," added Iduna, "a most grateful recollection of our
host."

"God be with ye, wherever ye may proceed," replied the Eremite.

"My trust is indeed in Him," rejoined Iduna.

CHAPTER 15

And so, two hours before sunset, mounting their refreshed horses, Nicaeus
and Iduna quitted, with many kind words, the cavern of the Eremite,
and took their way along the winding bank of the river. Throughout the
moonlit night they travelled, ascending the las