“Impatience lends wings to my desire, Ildiko,” whispered Orondo. “I long for thee incessantly. Come quickly.”
“Only this poor body is absent from thy side, Orondo. Thy wish is but an echo of my thought.”
“From meridian to sunset is a lifetime in the history of love,” said Orondo, as he glanced at the unclouded sky overhead. “Oh, misery! that I must leave thee!”
“Thou art a flattering and indulgent husband,” responded Ildiko, smiling up into his face affectionately.
He stood uncovered, and waited for her to pass on; then he turned ever and anon on his way back to Iaqua, waving his hand to her, until Ildiko reached her father’s house.
The lanterns, banners and flags flapped lazily in the breeze or sunned themselves listlessly. There was a grand naval demonstration on the bay, an exchange of shots by the mangonels in the forts, and a review of warriors on parade.
The citizens young and old made various senseless noises in their exuberance of spirits, while the Chief Councilmen went into session immediately to await the announcement of the formal resignation of Yermah and the taking of the oath of office by Orondo.
It was not without a sinking heart that Yermah had given up his old habits of life. It cost him many pangs to abandon his quarters; and for days he had that houseless, homeless feeling inseparable from removal to new surroundings.
Orondo pleaded long and earnestly that he would still reside at Iaqua. The Dorado steadily refused. He would content himself with the unpretentious quarters of Akaza in the Temple of Neptune.
With his own hands, he took an inventory of all things pertaining to his office, the jewels, the horses, trappings and chariots.