"Kind stranger," replied the captive, "I was ill prepared for such a
meeting. I thank you for your sympathy, but my sad fortunes are beyond
human aid."

"God works by humble instruments, noble lady," said Iskander, "and with
his blessing we may yet prosper."

"I fear that I must look to death as my only refuge," replied Iduna,
"and still more, I fear that it is not so present a refuge as my
oppressors themselves imagine. But you are a physician; tell me then
how speedily Nature will make me free."

She held forth her hand, which Iskander took and involuntarily pressed.
"Noble lady," he said, "my skill is a mere pretence to enter these
walls. The only talisman I bear with me is a message from your
friends."

"Indeed!" said Iduna, in an agitated tone.

"Restrain yourself, noble lady," said Iskander, interposing, "restrain
yourself. Were you any other but the daughter of Hunniades I would not
have ventured upon this perilous exploit. But I know that the Lady
Iduna has inherited something more than the name of her great ancestors
-- their heroic soul. If ever there were a moment in her life in which
it behoved her to exert all her energies, that moment has arrived. The
physician who addresses her, and his attendant who waits at hand, are
two of the Lady Iduna's most devoted friends. There is nothing that
they will not hazard, to effect her delivery; and they have matured a
plan of escape which they are sanguine must succeed. Yet its