The Rise of Iskander

for, before the muezzin had announced the close of day from the minarets, h

unuch to Iskander. "Bring with you wh

own several streets, they arrived at the burial-ground, where they had conversed in the morning; a

s taken from my representations such a fancy for its immediate proof, that I found it quite impossible to postpone its trial even until to-morrow. I mentioned the terms. I told the Prince

r confidence, rest assured," replied Iskan

ed? We might, perhaps, gain a l

sir; Truth is

stick, at a small gate, which opened, and admitted them into a garden, full of large clumps of massy shrubs. Through these a winding walk led for some way, and then conducted them to an o

menian physicia

r bowed

re this Christian girl and you shall name your own

onage than the son of Amurath, and future conqueror of Constantinople; "but I am confident there wi

I cannot rest until I know the result of your visit. I shall wander about th

mpanions to advance, and

e; but when they had examined them, and observed that it was only a physician and his boy, their awe, or their surprise, disappeared; and they crowded round Iskander, some holding out their wrists, others lolling out their tongues, and some asking questions, which perplexed alike the skill and the modesty of the adventurous dealer in magical medicine. The annoyance, however, was not of great duration, for

they could with difficulty conceal, were ushered into a small but sumptuous apartment. In the extremity was a recess covered with a light gauzy curtain. The eunuch bidding them keep in the background, advanced, and cautiously withdrawing the curtain slightly aside, addressed some words in a low voice to the

; "pardon the zeal of a Christian friend. Though habited in this garb, I have served under your i

repared for such a meeting. I thank you for your s

oble lady," said Iskander, "and wit

more, I fear that it is not so present a refuge as my oppressors themselves imag

. "Noble lady," he said, "my skill is a mere pretence to enter these w

Iduna, in an

c 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 e

ave not, I trust, miscalculated my character. I am a slave, and unless heaven will interpose, must soon be a dishonoured one. My freedom and my fame are alike at s

ady experienced some benefit from my visit, and announce your rising confidence in my skill. In the meantime I will make such a report that our dail

ed in you by one whom you have no interest to deceive, and who, if deceived, cannot be placed in a worse position than she at present fills, as a very gratifying mark of confidence, yet that trust is reposed in you; and let me

onstantinople in disguise to rescue the Lady Idu

nor the form on which I gaze," she added, as she unveiled. Beside her stood the tall figure of the Armenian physician.

not waiting for her reply. The page of the physician came forward, but the eunuch accompanied him. "All is right," said

ronizing men of science. The prince waits without. Come along!" He took Iskander by the arm. "Where is your boy? What are

coffee-house with;" replied Nic?|us, "you forge

to encourage men of science, and all that belong to them. Do not go and spend it all in one morni