at once
proceed to the capital of Epirus, or advance into Bulgaria, in case
Hunniades was still in the field. On the morrow, therefore, they
proceeded on their journey. Nicaeus had procured a litter for Iduna, for
which her delicate health was an excuse to Alexina and her sisters, and
they were attended by a small body of well-armed cavalry, for, according
to the accounts which Nicaeus had received, the country was still
disturbed. They departed at break of day, Nicaeus riding by the side of
the litter, and occasionally making the most anxious inquiries after the
well-being of his fair charge. An hour after noon they rested at a well,
surrounded by olive-trees, until the extreme heat was somewhat allayed;
and then remounting, proceeded in the direction of an undulating ridge
of green hills, that partially intersected the wide plain. Towards
sunset the Prince of Athens withdrew the curtains of the litter, and
called the attention of Iduna to a very fair castle, rising on a fertile
eminence and sparkling in the quivering beams of dying light.

"I fear," said Nicaeus, "that my friend Justinian will scarcely have
returned, but we are old comrades, and he desired me to act as his
Seneschal. For your sake I am sorry, Iduna, for I feel convinced that he
would please you."

"It is, indeed, a fair castle," replied Iduna, "and none but a true
knight deserves such a noble residence."

While she spoke the commander of the escort sounded his bugle, and they
commenced the ascent of the steep, a winding road, cut through a thick
wood of ever-green shrubs. The gradual and easy ascent soon brought them
to a portal flanked with towers, which admitted them into the outworks
of the fortification. Here they found several soldiers on guard, and the
commander again sounding his bugle, the gates of the castle opened,
and the Seneschal, attended by a suite of many domestics, advanced and
welcomed Nicaeus and Iduna. The Prince of Athens dismounting, assisted
his fair companion from the litter, and leading her by the band, and
preceded by the Seneschal, entered the castle.

They passed through a magnificent hall, hung with choice armour, and
ascending a staircase, of Pentelic marble, were ushered into a suite of
lofty chambers, lined with Oriental tapestry, and furnished with many
costly couches and cabinets. While they admired a spectacle so different
to anything they had recently beheld or experienced, the Seneschal,
followed by a number o