Iduna performed her part with great dexterity; but, indeed, it required
less skill than herself and her advisers had at first imagined. Her
malady, although it might have ended fatally, was in its origin
entirely mental, and the sudden prospect of freedom, and of restoration
to her country and her family, at a moment when she had delivered
herself up to despair, afforded her a great and instantaneous benefit.
She could not, indeed, sufficiently restrain her spirits, and smiled
incredulously when Iskander mentioned the impending exertion and
fatigues with doubt and apprehension. His anxiety to return
immediately to Epirus, determined him to adopt the measures for her
rescue without loss of time, and on his third visit, he prepared her
for making the great attempt on the ensuing morn. Hitherto Iskander
had refrained from revealing himself to Iduna. He was induced to adopt
this conduct by various considerations. He could no longer conceal
from himself that the daughter of Hunniades exercised an influence over
his feelings which he was unwilling to encourage. His sincere
friendship for Nicaeus, and his conviction that It was his present duty
to concentrate all his thought and affection in the cause of his
country, would have rendered him anxious to have resisted any emotions
of the kind, even could he have flattered himself that there was any
chance of their being returned by the object of his rising passion.
But Iskander was as modest as he was brave and gifted. The disparity
of age between himself and Iduna appeared an insuperable barrier to his
hopes, even had there been no other obstacle. Iskander struggled with
his love, and with his strong mind the struggle, though painful, was
not without success. He felt that he was acting in a manner which must
ultimately tend to the advantage of his country, the happiness of his
friend, and perhaps the maintenance of his own self-respect. For he
had too much pride not to be very sensible to the bitterness of