“She does not hesitate, Nicæus. I desire, I require, that this conversation shall cease; shall never, never be renewed.”
“And I tell thee, haughty woman,” said the Prince of Athens, grinding his teeth, and speaking with violent action, “that I will no longer be despised with impunity. Iduna is mine, or is no one else’s.”
“Is it possible?” exclaimed the daughter of Hunniades. “Is it, indeed, come to this? But why am I surprised! I have long known Nicæus. I quit this castle instantly.”
“You are a prisoner,” replied the prince very calmly, and leaning with folded arms against the wall.
“A prisoner!” exclaimed Iduna, a little alarmed. “A prisoner! I defy you, sir. You are only a guest like myself. I will appeal to the Seneschal in the absence of his lord. He will never permit the honour of his master’s flag to be violated by the irrational caprice of a passionate boy.”
“What lord?” inquired Nicæus.
“Your friend, the Lord Justinian,” answered Iduna. “He could little anticipate such an abuse of his hospitality.”
“My friend, the Lord Justinian!” replied Nicæus, with a malignant smile. “I am surprised that a personage of the Lady Iduna’s deep discrimination should so easily be deceived by ‘a passionate boy!’ Is it possible that you could have supposed for a moment that there was any other lord of this castle, save your devoted slave?”
“What!” exclaimed Iduna, really frightened.
“I have, indeed, the honour of finding the Lady Iduna my guest,” continued Nicæus, in a tone of bitter raillery. “This castle of Kallista, the fairest in all Epirus, I inherit from my mother. Of late I have seldom visited it; but, indeed, it will become a favourite residence of mine, if it be, as I anticipate, the scene of my nuptial ceremony.”