from those I love, I dream only of
their unhappiness."

"At this moment also," rejoined Nicaeus, "he dreams perhaps of your
imprisonment among barbarians. Yet how mistaken! Let that consideration
support you. Come! here is to the Eremite."

"As willing, if not as sumptuous, a host as our present one," said
Iduna; "and when, by-the-bye, do you think that your friend, the Lord
Justinian, will arrive?"

"Oh! never mind him," said Nicaeus. "He would have arrived to-morrow, but
the great news which I gave him has probably changed his plans. I told
him of the approaching invasion, and he has perhaps found it necessary
to visit the neighbouring chieftains, or even to go on to Croia."

"Well-a-day!" exclaimed Iduna, "I would we were in my father's camp!"

"We shall soon be there, dear lady," replied the Prince. "Come, worthy
Seneschal," he added, turning to that functionary, "drink to this noble
lady's happy meeting with her friends."

CHAPTER 18

Three or four days passed away at the castle of Justinian, in which
Nicaeus used his utmost exertions to divert the anxiety of Iduna. One
day was spent in examining the castle, on another he amused her with a
hawking party, on a third he carried her to the neighbouring ruins of a
temple, and read his favourite AEschylus to her amid its lone and
elegant columns. It was impossible for any one to be more amiable and
entertaining, and Iduna could not resist recognising his many virtues
and accomplishments. The courier had not yet returned from Croia,
which Nicaeus accounted for by many satisfactory reasons. The suspense,
however, at length became so painful to Iduna, that she proposed to the
Prince of Athens that they should, without further delay, proceed to
that city. As usual, Nicaeus was not wanting in many plausible arguments
in favour of their remaining at the castle, but Iduna was resolute.

"Indeed, dear Nicaeus," she said, "my anxiety to see my father, or hear
from him, is so great, that there is scarcely any danger which I would
not encounter to gratify my wish. I feel that I have already taxed your
endurance too much. But we are no longer in a hostile land, and guards
and guides are to be engaged. Let me then depart alone!"

"Iduna!" exclaimed Nicaeus, reproachfully. "Alas! Iduna, you are cruel,
but I did not expect this!"

"Dear Nicaeus!" she answered, "you always misinterpret me! It would
infinitely delight me to be restored to Hunniades by yourself, but thes