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 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY 
 
 V 
 
 Vol. i. a
 
 IWL 
 
 The Ttymance 
 
 of a Country 
 
 a flDasque 
 
 BY 
 
 M. A. CURTOIS 
 
 AUTHOR OF 'JENNY,' 'TRACKED,' ' MY BEST PUPIL,' ETC. 
 
 Laszt uns auch so ein Schauspiel geben ! 
 Greift nur hinein ins voile Menschenleben ! 
 
 They seek a country. 
 
 VOLUME I. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 T. FISHER UNWIN 
 
 PATERNOSTER SQUARE 
 
 1893
 
 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 THE COUNTRY IS SOUGHT 
 
 I'AGE 
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI ASCAR . n 
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR ... 51 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO . • ■ • .187 
 
 J 
 
 v. 
 
 vw
 
 THE COUNTRY IS SOUGHT
 
 Cum, &^^> ^4m 
 
 "The Romance of a Country. 
 
 An old tradition tells us that there was once a 
 land known as the Fair Country — an old tradition, 
 dim with the dust of centuries, but retaining some 
 traces of beauty, like other echoes of far-off, golden 
 times. History is silent, for one thing at least is 
 certain, the Fair Country is no longer numbered 
 with the nations. 
 
 If we question the legend further, we learn that 
 this Land Beautiful lay in the midst of mountains, a 
 sunny, fertile spot. Some glimpses we gain of blue 
 hills and pleasant pastures ; some of its people, 
 indolent and passionate ; a few of the wealth of its 
 rulers, and the splendour of their palaces. Its 
 poets sang — 'The Spirits of the Sunbeams love our 
 land ; they warm it, and dance on it, and prefer 
 it to any other country. For there is no such 
 beautiful land on the surface of the world ! ' 
 VOL. I. A
 
 2 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 If this were all, if there were no more to be said, 
 we might be content to leave the Fair Country 
 to the peace of the nation which has no history. 
 But it is impossible to deny that in the midst of 
 these memories we become conscious of unexpected 
 echoes, stormy as the muttering of distant thunder, 
 or the crashing of a war-chariot over grass and 
 flowers. Historians might deduce the conclusion 
 that even the voices of tradition cannot contradict 
 what we know of human nature. The tradition, 
 however, is in this case so fragmentary that it is 
 difficult to compare it with serious history. 
 
 It is not, then, my intention to concern myself 
 with anything of more weight than a story, a 
 romance gathered from the legends of a country, 
 which may possibly serve for the amusement of 
 idle moments beneath summer leaves or beside 
 the winter's fire. Unhappily, such a legend, deal- 
 ing principally with individuals, belongs almost of 
 necessity to evil times ; for such times, whilst they 
 ravage a country, by way of compensation display 
 individual characters in bold relief, writing their 
 history in signs as lurid as fiery letters upon a 
 shrivelled page. Do we call those happy who 
 possess no such distinction ? Alas ! even obscurity 
 is not always possible. 
 
 With these few words let us attempt to unite 
 and from such fragments of this ancient romance 
 as we possess, always remembering that we tread
 
 THE COUNTRY IS SOUGHT. 3 
 
 on doubtful ground, that no certain geography or 
 history can be expected, and that such names and 
 phrases as have come down to us are not more 
 than echoes of long-forgotten words. Accepting 
 such echoes for lack of better guidance, let us ask 
 what they tell us of the Fair Country. 
 
 They tell us, first — for some sentences of expla- 
 nation are needful before the commencement of 
 our romance — that the mountains in the midst of 
 which our country was situated were themselves 
 the home of many warlike tribes ; and that these 
 wild races, as plunderers and robbers, continually 
 threatened the existence of the Fair Country 
 (AlidraJi). Amongst these mountain tribes there 
 was one more powerful than the others, with 
 which the history of the Alidrah became miserably 
 linked ; but of this race we shall hear so much in 
 future that for the moment it is unnecessary to do 
 more than mention it. A few words will set forth 
 the unfortunate occasion which connected it with 
 the affairs of the Fair Country. 
 
 It appears that, some generations before our 
 romance begins, there was a revolution in the 
 Alidrah, whose people revolted against the govern- 
 ment of the Nobles, who had been for ages Priests 
 and Rulers of the land. A sudden tumult over- 
 turned the work of centuries ; and the unfortunate 
 Estria (Noblemen), in danger of their lives, fled, 
 with but few exceptions, from the country, and
 
 4 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 sought such shelter as the mountains could afford. 
 The people of the Alidrah, meanwhile, soon re- 
 penting of their conduct— which had been only 
 influenced by temporary causes— restored the re- 
 maining Estria to power, and prepared a decree 
 which should recall the Exiles. It was almost 
 completed when, like a sudden earthquake, un- 
 expected tidings convulsed the Alidrah, destroyed 
 irrevocably the prospects of the Exiles, and con- 
 vinced the most doubtful of the justice of their 
 banishment. It is necessary to give some atten- 
 tion to a circumstance on which our tale depends, 
 as from a central thread. 
 
 We have seen that among the wild races which 
 surrounded the Fair Country there was one more 
 powerful, more dreaded than the rest ; one, it may 
 be added, which gathered to itself every feeling of 
 horror with which the rest were feared. Accord- 
 ing to the statements of the Alidrah, the people of 
 this tribe were a mis-shapen race, with swarthy 
 faces, and dark glowing eyes, lit by the fiends from 
 whom they were descended. Their name, Rema, 
 could be translated Dwarf; and with the horror of 
 superstitious dread the Alidrah declared that the 
 ancestors of its enemies were Ero-a (malignant 
 gnomes, who work in mines). With the most 
 bitter enmity, with national abhorrence, with all 
 the intensity of religious hatred, the Fair Country 
 resisted the cruel adversaries from whose depreda-
 
 THE COUNTRY IS SOUGHT 5 
 
 tions it had often suffered. And when it became 
 known that the Exiles, in despair, had fled to the 
 Fiends (for by that name they were called), their 
 countrymen, in a frenzy, declared their wealth con- 
 fiscated, and themselves for ever banished from 
 their native land. This national decree relieved 
 the fury of the people, and the Alidrah was again 
 restored to peace. 
 
 Years passed. The Fair Country continued 
 undisturbed, secure under the rule of the remain- 
 ing Estria ; while the Exiles, surrounded on every 
 side by enemies, lingered out wretched lives upon 
 the mountains. One by one they died, and their 
 miserable descendants became scattered for the 
 most part, and sought homes in distant lands ; 
 only a few still remaining as a tribe, and defend- 
 ing themselves against their wild neighbours as 
 they could. A worn-out remnant, unprotected, 
 powerless, it seemed evident that the Fair Country 
 need not fear them. And, indeed, under ordinary 
 circumstances it would have had no cause for 
 fear, but there arose a danger which was not 
 ordinary. 
 
 It is with this danger and its consequences that 
 our romance will be principally concerned. Its 
 peril was personal, twofold ; already through these 
 mists of ages there loom two figures, distinct 
 though shadowy. 
 
 Some introduction is necessary here, though at
 
 6 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 that time the figures seemed almost mythical. The 
 first, and at first most dreaded, was Ursan, leader of 
 the Rema ; the other, the young chief of the exiled 
 Estria. An old — a young leader ; a menacing 
 conjunction, which excited to the utmost the 
 alarm of the Alidrah. And the terror of the 
 nation found adequate expression in the wild 
 traditions which gathered round their names. 
 
 These traditions (to accept for the present those 
 which were most reasonable) called Ursan, the 
 king and leader, an old man — supreme over the 
 Rema, who were devoted to him ; a monster of 
 iniquity, but none the less beloved ; a man of 
 genius, given to vast schemes of conquest which 
 he kept in his own breast and revealed to none ; 
 a cruel master, a perfidious truce-breaker, soft as 
 a leopard, but with the fierceness of a wolf. In 
 such terms, accompanied by the wildest stories, 
 was the Maravel of the Rema described by the 
 Alidrah. Meanwhile, concerning Alvo the Exile 
 there had been many differing rumours, uniting 
 at last in a terror like the oppression of a dream. 
 
 That horror had been reached by degrees. The 
 first accounts had represented the chief of t^e 
 Estria only as a sickly youth, beautiful in face, 
 but otherwise contemptible, and still retaining the 
 marks of some years of slavery. There was a 
 story that he had summoned all the Exiles, and 
 entreated them to assist him in the recovery of
 
 THE COUNTRY IS SOUGHT. 7 
 
 their land ; and that this appeal had been heard 
 with the utmost scorn, and only responded to by 
 ninety men. Loudly laughed the Fair Country, 
 though the time was not far distant when Alvo 
 and his ninety were not held to be a jest. For, 
 from the moment when it appeared that Ursan 
 favoured the young leader, the young leader 
 loomed as a cloud, dimly seen, but dangerous. 
 
 Already he had become the subject of the most 
 extravagant rumours, when, like the thrust of a real 
 knife through dreams, there appeared in the Alidrah 
 the swarthy faces of men who called themselves 
 messengers from Alvo. These men belonged to 
 the race of Kroni (apes), and could not speak the 
 language of the Alidrah ; presumably they were 
 held of little value, or they would not have been 
 risked on an errand so dangerous. The message, 
 however which was read in the Great Hall 
 (Estrifad) was in the language of the Alidrah and 
 eloquently expressed, although it was impossible 
 not to be sensible that it had the tone of a master 
 rather than that of a suppliant. It demanded for 
 Alvo and his ninety Nobles the restoration of the 
 lands which their fathers had possessed, promising 
 that as soon as this restitution was accomplished 
 the Exiles would be faithful to the interests of the 
 Alidrah. The name of Ursan did not appear in it ; 
 but, according to custom, there was tied to the scroll 
 a ring, and on this was engraved the ominous in-
 
 8 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 scription, ' Alvo, Son- in- War of the Maravel of the 
 Rental It may be imagined with what return of 
 frenzy the Fair Country received the name of its 
 enemy. 
 
 For the moment that frenzy prevailed. The 
 Kroni were assaulted by the mob, and only saved 
 that they might carry back the answer — a reply 
 without salutation, expressed in these few words : 
 
 1 Let Ursan and beardless Alvo do their worst ! ' 
 
 With this message, perchance more resolute than 
 dignified, the ambassadors vanished like an ugly 
 dream. An interval followed, during which the 
 wildest fancies began once more to spread through 
 the Fair Country. 
 
 Naturally, these broken, feverish rumours at- 
 tached themselves now to the name and history of 
 Alvo ; for it was obvious that the young leader, 
 once despised, had become a danger which the land 
 had cause to dread. It was whispered that he 
 drank blood, that demons guarded him from 
 wounds, that his beauty had the power of magic, 
 that his mother was a gnome — and still, the more 
 greedily these tales were devoured, the more 
 legends rose to feed the terror of the land. ' Let 
 Alvo come ! ' cried the wise. ' If he delays much 
 longer there will not be a man who will dare to 
 fight with him ! ' The desperate wish was granted ; 
 for not many weeks had passed before it was evi- 
 dent that Alvo came.
 
 THE COUNTRY IS SOUGHT 9 
 
 News was received that Ursan, at the head of a 
 host of Rema, was marching over the western side 
 of the Ekelfah (Northern Plain) ; whilst Alvo, with 
 his ninety nobles, and a horde of mountain warriors, 
 advanced as a separate danger from the east. The 
 Estria had done their best to prepare for an in- 
 vasion, and had summoned the Nira (Border 
 Tribes) to their assistance ; but the various tribes 
 of the Nira, disheartened, terrified, appeared to 
 waver, and would not send back a reply. The 
 armies of the Alidrah were scarcely organised 
 when suddenly other messengers appeared ; and 
 with the terror which their embassage inspired 
 there mingled a deep sensation of relief. This 
 time there was no danger for the ambassadors — 
 Nira, taken captive by the old Maravel. 
 
 The message was rude, abrupt. It declared, 
 without salutation, that the Fair Country might 
 tremble, for Ursan was approaching ; and that, 
 when he entered it, their insolence should be 
 punished, and they need not hope for mercy. 
 Even now, however, he was willing to allow them 
 a short truce, during which they might decide in 
 what manner to receive him ; and his brother- 
 leader, Alvo, his friend and son-in-war, united with 
 himself in this kindness, although it was unmerited. 
 Attached to this message was a copper ring, on 
 which were scratched the two names, ' Ursan — 
 Alvo:
 
 io THE ROMANCE OE A COUNTRY. 
 
 So there was a truce, an invaluable pause, during 
 which it was possible to make some preparation ; 
 yet the Fair Country trembled, and the Nira hesi- 
 tated, and the pause seemed only the stillness 
 before the storm. It is during this truce, this pause 
 before the storm, whilst the Alidrah trembles, and 
 the Nira hesitate, and Ursan and Alvo are indulg- 
 ing each in his own dream of ambition, and the 
 breezes of early summer are scattering the spring 
 blossoms — it is at this time that we will enter the 
 Fair Country.
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF 
 ESTRI ASCAR.
 
 It is possible for the slightest circumstances to have an 
 abiding influence on the destiny of nations ; for which reason 
 the wise lay hold on trivialities, and turn them, as they turn 
 other events, to serve their will. In the book of trifles any 
 word may be important — a sudden skirmish, a quarrel or 
 dispute, the little differences that lead to alienation, the chains 
 of a captive, the lights of a wedding-night. A nation's 
 destiny has been known to waver on threads that seemed 
 even of less size and weight than these. For no link of a 
 chain has any separate value ; its value lies in its connection 
 with the rest.
 
 I. 
 
 O Youth, rose-crowned, yet full of strife, 
 
 Craving uncomprehended joys, 
 Hearing the desperate fight of life 
 
 But as a far-off, pleasant noise ! 
 
 It is the wedding-night of Estri Ascar. And who 
 is Estri Ascar? 
 
 Roll back, mists of ages, and show a young 
 nobleman of the Fair Country. 
 
 I see a great hall lit with the glare of flaming 
 torches, and hear the wild music of many instru- 
 ments, and am conscious of the voices and move- 
 ments of a great crowd of guests gathered round 
 the banquet, or standing in the hall. And there, 
 in the midst, in a carved, jewelled seat, I see a 
 young man clad in dark green, with white roses on 
 his head, strong in limbs, dark, dark-eyed, with a 
 face burned by the sun — a face full of life and fire, 
 and the eagerness of youth, on which time has 
 engraved no difficult lessons yet. 
 
 13
 
 14 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 This is Estri Ascar, now holding his bridal feast, 
 the lord of a gaunt rock at the north of the Alidrah, 
 the descendant of the only distinguished nobleman 
 who was left in the land when the principal nobles 
 fled. Upon this Escola, or Guardian Rock, the 
 first attack of the Rema must break, almost cer- 
 tainly ; for whilst to the south of it lay the blossoms 
 of the Alidrah, the desolate northern plain stretched 
 to its base. But neither this circumstance, nor the 
 fury of the country, nor the predictions of sages, 
 nor the wrath of the Estria, nor the certainty that 
 he would be immediately called away to join the 
 army, had deterred Estri Ascar from holding 
 his wedding feast. And there were those who 
 declared that the torches of this wedding-night 
 were giving light to an action that would set 
 fire to the land. 
 
 It might have been that terror which was re- 
 flected strangely in the eyes of one from whom 
 terror would not have been expected — the maiden 
 who was seated, adorned with regal splendour, at 
 the side of the young nobleman — Estri Ascar's 
 bride. A fair bride ! whose beauty was framed by 
 shining hair, crowned with white flowers, enfolded 
 in gold -embroidered robes, in itself justifying the 
 position she occupied as the centre of observa- 
 tion, the princess of the feast. And yet her eyes, 
 deep blue-grey, and wide open, looked into the 
 distance, as in bewilderment; and. in spite of the
 
 THE WEDDING NIGHT OF ESTRI- ASCAR. 15 
 
 stiffness of her golden robe it could be seen that 
 her childish form was quivering. No stranger, be- 
 holding her for the first time, could have escaped the 
 impression, that, in spite of her magnificent attire, 
 she was but the captive of Estri Ascar's bow and 
 spear, compelled by the force of his will to hold a 
 false state at his side. On the dark glowing features 
 of the bridegroom, nevertheless, was only the ex- 
 pression of gratified desire, so complete that he 
 did not even turn his face towards the maiden who 
 shared his bridal state. Life crowned Estri Ascar 
 that night ; he had gained the prize he wanted, in 
 spite of furious, determined opposition ; and though 
 terrors were looming over his country and himself, 
 he was prepared to meet them cheerfully. Let the 
 enemy come ! let them attack the Escola ! let him- 
 self be summoned to the army and the conflict ! let 
 anything, everything, break on him at once, if only 
 he were permitted this one night with his bride ! 
 So dreamed Estri Ascar ; and it would appear 
 that the bride he had chosen was also vision- 
 haunted. Meanwhile, with furtive expressions that 
 dared not tell all they thought, the wedding-guests 
 glanced at the bridegroom and the bride. They 
 had all been summoned to hold the wedding-night 
 — the marriage-festival of the Alidrah. 
 
 And now — music ! For although all through the 
 feast the unseen musicians had never ceased to
 
 1 6 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 play, it was not till this moment that they filled 
 the hall with the favourite Bridal Chorus of the 
 land. It rushed like the wind — and then a sudden 
 pause made preparation for the voices of the singers. 
 They rose, clear, piercing, in the ancient Bridal 
 Song, for ages familiar to the Alidrah. 
 
 Come to the marriage-feast ! Over the mountain's side 
 
 Spirits are hasting the tidings to tell. 
 Come to the marriage-feast ! Down by the river's side, 
 Starlit, they joyfully dance in the dell. 
 
 Here in the marriage-hall, 
 
 Here may no trouble fall, 
 Here every heart may be blithesome and gay. 
 
 Come to the bridal here ; 
 
 Sorrow and lonely fear 
 Pass at the sound of our music away. 
 
 The song was interrupted by the surging throbs 
 of music ; and then again, still more wild and sweet, 
 the voices rose — wild, mournful, since even in the 
 Bridal Chorus the note of unmixed joy could not 
 be sustained. The sudden change did not strike 
 as a surprise on those to whom it had been long 
 familiar ; it was the consciousness of real danger 
 that passed like a shudder through the company. 
 
 Here burn the torches bright, 
 
 Here rings the music light, 
 Garlands are wreathing the Bridal Hall here ; 
 
 Far be the halls of woe, 
 
 Lonely and dim below, 
 Where flows the Stream of 111, darksome and drear.
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI A SCAR. 17 
 
 There, past the Spirit-Sea, 
 
 There may no bridal be — 
 Death strikes so soon at all, greatest and least — 
 
 There, in the Shadowland, 
 
 Bridegroom nor bride may stand ; 
 Oh ! while you yet have life, come to the feast ! 
 
 Into the inner Hall broke the wail of the unseen 
 singers, but the music answered by a triumphant 
 crash. It was time, for the pulses of every guest 
 were quivering : at this strange bridal all things 
 seemed ominous. And now at each pause another 
 sound was heard, the noise of the rising wind 
 which shook the curtains. At every interval of 
 the rushing Bridal Chorus the cries of its gathering 
 storm were audible. 
 
 What did he think? — the young man of unusual 
 aspect who sat behind Ascar as the bridegroom's 
 friend, the mark for glances which, even in the 
 bridegroom's presence, revealed suppressed hatred 
 almost openly. Young as the Estri, but absolutely 
 different, pale, dull-haired, with lithe figure and 
 keen eyes, he sat bent forward, with his glance on 
 the company, as one long used to sustain the scorn 
 of men. What links, ominous even in this ill- 
 omened wedding, connected this guest with the 
 bridegroom and the bride ; and what were the 
 circumstances of real or imagined danger which 
 added this wedding-night to the perils of the 
 nation ? Let us pause for an instant in the midst 
 of the festivities to gather for ourselves such ex- 
 VOL. 1. B
 
 1 8 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 planation as we can. Whilst the rude bridal music 
 sweeps round Ascar's hall, let us ask how such 
 music became possible. 
 
 The Estri was an orphan. The visions of the 
 past, which could not but be with him on this 
 eventful night, could show him little besides the 
 grey rock of the Escola, where, with but one short 
 interval, he had lived all his life. A gaunt rock, 
 looking over the barren, restless plain, as if it were 
 always expecting enemies — as drear a spot, and as 
 desolate in appearance, as could have been found 
 in the whole of the Fair Country ! Here Ascar 
 had lived, detained by the last wish of his father, 
 who had dreaded for his son the luxuries of the 
 Alidrah, and had therefore commanded that until 
 the boy reached manhood he should remain with 
 his servants upon the Guardian Rock. It was a 
 lonely life, but the dark-eyed boy had been happy 
 in learning every day to climb and ride, in listening 
 to stories of his ancestors, and imagining projects 
 for a splendid future. Ignorant, inexperienced, 
 full of passionate prejudices, he was yet strong, 
 healthful, with limbs full of energy, unlike the 
 father who had died of luxuries, or the wan mother 
 who had known how to read the stars. The name 
 she had chosen for her only son loomed indeed 
 with an ominous meaning, Evil Star ; but its 
 influence had not been powerful enough to rob the
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI ASCAR. 19 
 
 hope from Ascar's heart, or the strong life from 
 his limbs. And whilst the proud noblemen of the 
 Fair Country despised him as a barbarian, little 
 better than a savage, the Estri, alone in his 
 gaunt solitude, was developing the most vigorous 
 impulses. These were recognised when, through 
 the fears of the Fair Country, there spread strange 
 rumours of Estri Ascar's friend and bride ; and in 
 wrath and amazement the people cried out loudly 
 that the barbarian Estri would set fire to the land. 
 It is necessary for us to seek some explanation of 
 the terror which haunted Ascar's wedding-night. 
 We have seen the bridegroom's friend seated near 
 the bridegroom — it is to his story that we will 
 listen first. 
 
 The magician's son, Olbri ! With eyes watchful, 
 keen and pale, Olbri sat behind Ascar at the 
 wedding-feast, his lips possessed by an expres- 
 sion of disdain which appeared to include both 
 occasion and company. Amongst those who cast 
 stolen glances at the Estri's strange acquaintance 
 there was not one who could fathom his expres- 
 sion ; but all resented its habitual look of scorn, 
 and would have expressed that resentment if they 
 dared. And, meanwhile, though conscious of their 
 familiar enmity, Olbri sat listening to the wind and 
 wedding-music— in each vibration, either of storm 
 or instruments, hearing mingled sounds of remem-
 
 20 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 brance and foreboding. To the wizard's son this 
 occasion of Ascar's bridal brought no sensations of 
 festivity, but he would keep by the side of Ascar 
 whilst he could — it might be the last service he 
 would render him. 
 
 Olbri thought of his Escola cavern. In the 
 days of Ascar's father, he had lived there with 
 his own father, the magician Olloto — so called by 
 his neighbours, for the old man himself disclaimed 
 all magic, even the study of the stars. In vain \ 
 he was a student with scrolls and instruments, and 
 learning was not tolerated in the Alidrah. It was 
 evident that he was in league with Evil Spirits, 
 and that the Great Spirit required a sacrifice. 
 Olbri could remember how, in a twilight before 
 dawn, he had rushed to find help when his 
 father's cavern was attacked, returning with some 
 acquaintances to find his home ransacked and 
 desolate, but in time to save his father, who 
 was being led out to be drowned. The infirm 
 old man, bruised and terrified, never held up his 
 head after that experience, or left his cavern-home 
 again. 
 
 Other memories ! The son of the sorcerer could 
 still recall the time when he watched day and 
 night by the side of his father's couch, until forced, 
 by the command of that father, to go out into the 
 world that in some distant land he might find a 
 home for both. He remembered also how one
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI AS CAR. 21 
 
 evening at the time of sunset, whilst he was 
 wandering amongst the Nira, a pale, quick- 
 witted boy, sudden terror seized him, so that, 
 on that same night, guided only by the stars, he 
 began to hasten home. And then, though this 
 memory he dared not recall, he knew how, in a 
 morning twilight, he had lingered outside the 
 cavern, listening to silence with a beating heart, 
 until he had entered to find his father's body on 
 the ground. In that instant he had thrown him- 
 self upon the corpse in the passionate hope that 
 one death would seize them both. It had not 
 done so, but from that time his pale, keen eyes 
 wore the look of one who has been terrified. 
 
 Certainly it had never been his fancy in those 
 days that he would be a guest at the wedding- 
 feast of the Lord of the Escola — those solitary 
 days during which the mercy of his neighbours 
 only reached to the fact that they left him to 
 himself. He was the son of the sorcerer, in touch 
 with Evil Spirits, doubtless, some day, to be ban- 
 ished from the land — but he was still young, and 
 because he was so young they left him for a while 
 to develop in solitude. Olbri lived in his cavern, 
 a bold, skilful hunter, buying food with the skins 
 of the animals he killed ; bitter, solitary, his one 
 passionate affection reserved for the spot where he 
 had laid his father's corpse. Yet, with the incon- 
 sistency of an untrained nature, he would often
 
 22 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 spend many days without looking on the grave, 
 and then, flinging himself upon it, lie there for 
 days and nights until almost too feeble to crawl 
 in search of food. Strange memories to mingle 
 with Ascar's wedding-music ! But they made part 
 of life itself to the son of the sorcerer, although he 
 turned, shrinking from the pain they caused, to 
 the thought of the friend who had been kind to 
 him. If the Nira slave had come between Ascar 
 and himself it was not less true that Ascar had 
 been generous. 
 
 Their acquaintance had begun strangely. On 
 a summer evening, as Olbri with his hands full of 
 flowers was climbing down the Escola, he was met 
 by some of Ascar's servants with a message from 
 their lord, abruptly forbidding him to climb there 
 again. Only on that morning the son of the 
 sorcerer had been summoned before a council in 
 the town, severely questioned with regard to his 
 lonely life, and informed that if he were accused 
 of evil he would be banished. The decree 
 was a threat of dishonour to his father, as 
 well as separation from his father's grave ; and, 
 being still possessed by the consciousness of 
 danger, Olbri made no reply to the servants of the 
 Estri. But he was not the less enraged, and all 
 that night he lay on the floor of his cavern in 
 a conflict, divided between his own wish for 
 defiance, and his dread of dishonouring his father's
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI ASCAR. 23 
 
 name. The struggle ended in a foolish com- 
 promise ; he climbed up the rock in the grey 
 morning before dawn ; and the servants of Ascar, 
 ready for an early hunt, looking down into a chasm, 
 saw him gathering crimson flowers. They had 
 long dreaded the son of the sorcerer, and now he 
 seemed given into their hands, an easy prey ; they 
 laid wait for him, seized him, and with ungentle 
 handling conveyed him at once into the presence 
 of their lord. Olbri made no resistance ; and with 
 the first rays of the sun he found himself standing 
 in the court of the Escola. 
 
 A distinct remembrance on Ascar's wedding- 
 night ! The courtyard lying in the golden light 
 of dawn, and its owner in the midst of it, a dark- 
 eyed lad, twisting in confusion the handle of his 
 hunting-knife. On every side rose the voices of 
 his servants — the offender should be scourged, 
 should be driven from the land, should lose his 
 ears ; the young offender listening meanwhile 
 without a word, although his face became hot and 
 cold by turns. All at once he shook himself free, 
 and striding boldly up to Ascar — whom every 
 instant had made more miserable — he struck him 
 with the back of his hand across the face, crying, 
 
 1 That is a challenge, Estri, if thou hast the 
 blood for it ! ' 
 
 Ascar had the spirit ; he flung away his knife, 
 and the two lads became locked in desperate
 
 24 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 conflict. The servants did not interfere ; it is 
 possible that they were anxious to see of what 
 stuff their lord was made. 
 
 The rest can be soon told. The son of the 
 sorcerer had known harder days than those of the 
 nobleman ; and, slender as he was, had the un- 
 bending sinews of one whose life has been spent 
 in self-defence. Ascar was flung with violence to 
 the ground ; and, at once conscious that victory 
 has its dangers, Olbri rushed to the side of the 
 courtyard, which lay on a natural platform, and 
 cast himself down upon the rock below. The fall 
 was greater than he had anticipated ; he was 
 bruised and stunned, unable to raise himself; in a 
 few more moments, once more in the servants' 
 hands, he was carried again into the courtyard of 
 the Escola. Ascar had risen, and with renewed 
 perplexity stood looking down on his victorious 
 antagonist. He lay there, pale, bruised, breathing 
 heavily with pain, this boy of his own age who had 
 fought with him ! 
 
 The spirit of an Estri spoke. 
 
 1 The Escola does not turn away the wounded. 
 Take him into the hall, and do all that is needful 
 for him.' 
 
 Unwilling looks were exchanged amongst Ascar's 
 servants, but they did not venture to disobey their 
 master ; though they lifted their captive from the 
 ground with so much roughness that the sudden
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI ASCAR. 25 
 
 pain forced a low cry from his lips. Ascar turned 
 round, indignant, and with youthful impulsiveness 
 seized on the first object with which he could 
 make amends ; he snatched from the ground the 
 scattered crimson flowers, and piled them in a 
 cluster on the bruised breast of the boy. Even as 
 he did so, Olbri caught his hand, and clasped it, 
 and kissed it, weeping passionately. From that 
 moment — the moment when their hands touched 
 — the son of the nobleman knew the son of the 
 sorcerer. 
 
 What need of more words ? The lads grew up 
 together, though Olbri continued to live in his 
 cavern as before ; they rode, and hunted, and 
 studied side by side, and were so often seen with 
 each other as to appear inseparable. And yet the 
 position of each remained unchanged ; Ascar, 
 dark, strong, handsome, was the descendant of 
 noblemen ; whilst Olbri, pale, lithe, keen-witted, 
 was still the wizard's son, who would some day 
 commit an offence for which he would be banished 
 from the land. 
 
 1 I will stay in my father's country,' Olbri cried 
 out once to Ascar, in one of his rare moments of 
 passion ; ' it shall never be said that my father's 
 son was banished ; I will stay in his land and win 
 honour for his name.' 
 
 Ascar pitied and praised, though his own inex- 
 perience hindered him from complete comprehen-
 
 26 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 sion of his friend, the quick-witted friend who 
 taught and laughed at him, and on whom in 
 return he bestowed a nobleman's protection. It 
 need not be added that one result of that protec- 
 tion was that the wizard's son was more hated 
 than before ; but Olbri had been so long used to 
 enmity that it is possible he scarcely realised his 
 danger. Dark glances had always followed him, 
 although none so dark as those which pursued him 
 furtively at Ascar's wedding-feast. And yet he 
 was not to blame for a ceremony which he had 
 neither occasioned nor desired. 
 
 No. Ascar had been alone on that fateful 
 autumn evening when, as he paused to draw rein 
 by the side of a brook, there rose from the long 
 grass a maiden, roughly clad, but with shining 
 hair which fell down below her knees. Slender, 
 lovely, with the expression of one awakened from 
 a dream, with deep eyes that seemed seeking some 
 country far away, this was evidently one of the 
 Water Akbare (good spirits), who had appeared to 
 him that he might worship her. It was only when 
 she became conscious of the young man's glance, 
 and colour mounted into her frightened face, that 
 he realised this could not be a spirit, this must be 
 only a woman after all. This must be Ered, the 
 lovely Nira slave ... he had heard of her . . . 
 Ah ! she was beautiful ! 
 
 Late, late that evening, through a purple glow of
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTR1 ASCAR. 27 
 
 sunset, did Ascar linger by the side of the Nira 
 slave, leaning against his horse whilst he looked at 
 her, and she stood before him, trembling, obedient. 
 He had scarcely spoken to a woman in his life; 
 Ered had scarcely spoken to a man ; they met to- 
 gether as if from different worlds they had sud- 
 denly found and recognised each other. Answering 
 his questions with a slave's obedience, she told of 
 her attendance upon a widowed Estra — herself a 
 captive taken by the Estra's husband from the 
 tents of the Nira after these had lost a battle. 
 And then, yielding to the spell of sympathy, she 
 spoke of a severe mistress, of a lonely life, of pas- 
 sionate longings for her unknown kindred, of vows 
 to devote herself to the gods of her unknown 
 country. To the Estri, accustomed to the scepti- 
 cal son of the wizard, this beautiful vision with 
 spiritual eyes seemed to be a being in communion 
 with spirits, touching chords in his nature which 
 had not before been stirred. Late, late they 
 lingered ; and when at last they parted she re- 
 mained in his fancy with clasped hands and 
 drooping head ; whilst Ered, distressed as one 
 overwhelmed with guilt, lay down in the long 
 grass and concealed her face. She had never felt 
 more in need of her Akbare, and yet, perchance, 
 never so far away from them. In the long grasses, 
 against which her face was crushed, her faint utter- 
 ances of broken prayer were lost.
 
 28 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 That was not the last meeting by the side of the 
 little brook where Ered had often lain to tell 
 her trials, to listen to the plash of the water on 
 the stones, and to dream of the country she had 
 never known. Between these vague longings, 
 these yearnings and herself, there rose a figure 
 more real and definite ; though when she was 
 alone her thoughts shrank fearfully from this Estri 
 of a land that was not the country of her vows. 
 And still they met, though as if by accident, and 
 he whispered words of reverence and sympathy. 
 The Estri, still simple-hearted as a child, could 
 only express his love by reverence. 
 
 Meanwhile, the winter passed, and through all the 
 Fair Country alarm spread as rapidly as a kindled 
 fire ; and in every mouth through the whole length 
 of the land could be heard the names of the 
 country's enemies. Ascar, like others, had become 
 aware of danger, had taken his place for the first 
 time as Councillor, had listened to the message 
 from the Maravel of the Rema, and had shared in 
 the terror with which it was received. It was the 
 first time that he had been absent from his home, 
 and he was full of the pride of his new dignity ; 
 but still through all feelings, like a golden thread, 
 ran the remembrance of the Nira slave. His com- 
 panion, Olbri, returned from a hunting expedition, 
 had soon discovered the existence of a secret, but 
 with the proud reserve peculiar to him, would not
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI ASCAR. 29 
 
 attempt to penetrate the mystery. The Estri only 
 observed that his companion was pallid — and in 
 those days every man knew anxiety. 
 
 A crisis followed. On a night of shivering moon- 
 light Ascar stopped at a shepherd's hut to ask for 
 milk ; and, entering the hovel after he had secured 
 his horse, became aware of a stream of gold upon 
 the ground. As he stopped in confusion it slowly 
 raised itself, and by the light of the solitary torch 
 he saw Ered's face — tear-stained, with the haggard, 
 terror-struck expression of one who has passed 
 through dread experiences. Between her con- 
 vulsive sobs he heard her tale — a slave had re- 
 vealed their meetings to her mistress ; she had 
 been seized, and threatened with the scourge, 
 until, freed by her desperate struggles, she had 
 rushed out into the night. And now, weeping 
 bitterly, she cried out to Ascar that she must set 
 out at once to find her country — she had vowed to 
 devote herself to her country and its gods — but 
 before she could complete her sentence he had 
 clasped her in his arms. That first, only kiss 
 remained as a spell with Ascar when he was once 
 more on the moonlit plain. One vision possessed 
 him with overmastering power — the beautiful fugi- 
 tive should be his bride. 
 
 A dangerous resolve ! but the Lord of the Escola, 
 strong with his first, mad dream of happiness, could 
 not pause for a moment and attempt to estimate
 
 30 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 the strength of superstition in the land or in his 
 bride. With the aid of his rank and wealth he 
 swept obstacles away. An old debt had placed 
 Ered's mistress in his power ; and the other 
 Estria, harassed by the war, could not offer a 
 determined resistance to his will. Whilst hurried 
 wedding preparations were being made, the bride 
 was sheltered by the shepherd and his wife, who 
 were always present during Ascar's daily visit, for 
 Ascar still treated her with the utmost reverence. 
 That she was remorseful, terrified, in agony, dread- 
 ing alike the gods of his country and her own, 
 that the vehemence of his love repelled whilst it 
 overwhelmed her, was knowledge Ascar had never 
 realised. As little did he know that, seated by 
 his side, Ered longed in anguish to start up be- 
 fore the company, and pouring out passionately 
 her remorse, her fears for him, declare to them 
 all that she would not be his wife. Her 
 limbs quivered, the lights swam before her eyes, 
 weights held her down, starts of agony oppressed 
 her ; and Ascar reclined by her side, absorbed in 
 bliss, in the triumph of the hope on which he had 
 staked his life. Let the enemy come ! for in the 
 future evil days he would have the memory of his 
 wedding-night. 
 
 Olbri, meanwhile, was silent, as he had been 
 silent on the evening when he stood with his 
 friend on the platform of the Escola ; when, as
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI A SCAN. 31 
 
 they looked out on the moonlit, shadowed hills, 
 Ascar confided at last his dearest hope. Ascar 
 did not know that the bruised hand he saw next 
 morning had been passionately dashed on the 
 rock the night before ; his friend only seemed 
 to him silent and disdainful, and the Estri was 
 not sure that he had been even interested. Yet 
 Olbri could still see the moonlit, shadowed hills 
 as he had once seen them through a storm of 
 tears. He must submit ; it was of no use to 
 struggle, although this wedding should destroy 
 not only his friendship but his friend. 
 
 And so, pale, quiet, clad in unornamented green, 
 he sat behind Ascar at the wedding-feast, listening 
 to the music, to the rising storm, observing the, 
 movements of the company. It was the first 
 time that he had seen Ascar's bride, the bride of 
 whose beauty he had heard so much — she was 
 certainly beautiful — but it was strange that she 
 never turned her face towards her husband. Ah ! 
 ah ! it was possible that Estri Ascar might not 
 gain unmixed happiness with his Nira slave — and 
 then love and gratitude cried in sharp reproach 
 that he was exulting in his friend's destruction. 
 At the moment he winced before this lash of 
 shame, the unseen chorus broke out again in song, 
 and for the instant its triumphant outburst subdued 
 every other sound to melody.
 
 32 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 Torches are shining, and music is ringing, 
 
 Soon will the marriage bread gladly be broken, 
 Soon will be silenced the voice of our singing, 
 
 Soon in the stillness the promise be spoken. 
 Come to the bridal ! Though spirits of sorrow drear 
 
 Many a knot on the sad earth can sever, 
 We need not tremble, nor dread the to-morrow here. 
 
 Come to the marriage feast ! Love is forever. 
 
 Is love forever, slave and nobleman ? Is it 
 impossible for love to die? For one instant dark 
 visions rose again round Olbri ; to fling them away 
 he started to his feet. The music had ceased, and 
 through the wedding-hall there swept only the 
 sounds of wind and conversation. As the wizard's 
 son moved, every eye was drawn towards him, but 
 he had determined to surprise the company.
 
 1 1. 
 
 What is this world's delight ? 
 Lightning that mocks the night. 
 
 Comes a vapour from the margin, blackening over 
 
 heath and holt, 
 Cramming all the blast before it, in its breast a 
 
 thunderbolt. 
 
 It was the moment for speeches, but the guests 
 had not supposed that the opportunity would 
 be seized by the wizard's son. As the friend of 
 the bridegroom, however, Olbri was not without 
 protection, and in Ascar's presence none dared 
 to hinder him. Without any sign of fear he 
 walked boldly to the table, and took up a goblet, 
 which he filled with wine ; then moved behind the 
 empty carved seat at the left hand of the bride- 
 groom, and stood still, resting his arms upon its 
 back. His pale eyes, his inexplicable manner, 
 the absolute uncertainty what he would do or say, 
 held the company with a momentary amazement 
 which only gave place to more intense surprise. 
 VOL. I. C
 
 34 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 The burning words might be from the wizard's 
 son, but the chord that was struck was one which 
 thrilled them all. Breathless, amazed, without 
 looking at each other, the guests were silent, all 
 eyes being fixed on him. 
 
 ' All hail ! I drink health to the Rema, our 
 visitors ! I drink health to the men who come 
 armed to take our land ! 
 
 ' Fellow-guests, you and I are visitors to-night at 
 the bridal-feast of the Lord of the Escola. There 
 is no greater joy, say our poets, than the bridal. 
 Estri Ascar is generous ; he shares his joy with us. 
 But Ascar — Estri Ascar, generous-hearted as he is, 
 has not so many gifts as the Rema can bestow. 
 They will give us chains, fire, ravished wives and 
 murdered children, cruel masters to carry us to a 
 bitter slavery. These are their gifts, and you will 
 agree with me that even the intention of them 
 deserves reward. We will reward them indeed 
 with the best recompense — the best. To these 
 Rema bridegrooms we will give a wedding-feast. 
 
 ' Look round you to-morrow. Beneath this 
 guardian rock lie the meadows of our beautiful land, 
 the bride they claim, decked with white blossoms 
 as for a festival, a summer garment that may serve 
 for her bridal robe. We, too, will put on the best 
 raiment that we have, and with our sharpest 
 swords we will go out to meet the bridegrooms. 
 There will be shouting then, a mighty clamour —
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI ASCAR. 35 
 
 believe me, my friends, it will be a blithe marriage 
 day. 
 
 ' But every marriage-day passes into evening, even 
 as we meet here to-night at Estri Ascar's wedding- 
 feast — and on this day of the Bridal of the Rema, 
 on this great day also the end will come at last. 
 And then, when the torch is dim, the shouting over, 
 when the bridegrooms, pale with delight, have 
 claimed their brides, then the earth, drinking in their 
 blood as her marriage wine, will take their bodies to 
 her embrace. 
 
 ' To the Bridal-Feast of the Rema ! ' 
 
 He tossed off the wine in his goblet at a draught, 
 flung it over his shoulder so that it fell with a loud 
 crash, and sat down. And as he did so, moved by 
 one common impulse, the guests in the wedding- 
 hall started to their feet. Touched by fire, for an 
 instant they could not remember that the words 
 they heard had been from the wizard's son. 
 
 A tumult followed. The men who were present 
 drew their swords, and struck them together after 
 the manner of the Alidrah — a noise that was 
 mingled with the shrieks of some of the women, 
 terrified at the blades which were crossed in front 
 of them. Ascar had risen, and with quivering pulse, 
 and a glance alight with flame, stood as master of 
 the tumult. Ered, with pale face and wide-opened 
 eyes, sat as in a dream, looking on the company. 
 But Olbri, meanwhile — Olbri had flung himself into
 
 36 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 his seat, pale, excited, but yet with lips that seemed 
 to smile ; the low, sneering murmur trembling on 
 them almost audibly, — 
 
 ' A fine speech for the son of the sorcerer ! ' 
 And now above the shouts, ' To the Bridal of the 
 Rema/ rose the chorus of the unseen singers, and 
 the shouting died away. For singers, as the nearest 
 approach to the voices of the Akbare, commanded 
 reverence in the Alidrah. 
 
 Come to the marriage-feast ! Over the mountain's side, 
 
 Flapping its wing, the slow death-bird is flying 
 Come to the marriage-feast ! Down by the river's side 
 
 Spirits weave shrouds for the dead and the dying. 
 Did they not promise us on some to-morrow drear 
 
 From our loved homes and our children to sever? 
 Why do they lie then in silence and sorrow here ? 
 
 Come to the marriage-feast ! Death is for ever. 
 
 Is death for ever? Then tenfold woe to the 
 guests who shout so triumphantly at Ascar's wed- 
 ding-feast ! For invaders are advancing as a tor- 
 rent on the land, and a few empty boasts will not 
 be sufficient to resist them. It may be that, as the 
 excitement slowly died, some consciousness of un- 
 spoken dread possessed the guests. But before the 
 reaction of feeling could be shown, a second current 
 rose with another speaker. 
 
 He was an old man, and his brown robe (though 
 it was thread-bare) proclaimed him a Councillor of 
 Neridah, especially as there shone upon its breast 
 the yellow jewel only Councillors can wear. His
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI ASCAR. 
 
 white hair, his trembling hands, and feeble manner, 
 made a contrast to the appearance of the son of 
 Olloto ; and the guests, at once silent and intent on 
 hearing, evidently rendered an accustomed rever- 
 ence. The first words came faintly ; they appeared 
 to rebuke the company for forgetting even to 
 mention the most hated enemy — and then sud- 
 denly, with his head flung back, and old eyes 
 blazing, he poured out his sentences with the 
 strength and fire of youth. No fanciful eloquence 
 of metaphor was here, but the force of a bitter 
 hatred gave enough intensity. 
 
 ' Death to the Exiles ! Death to the sons of 
 those whom we drove from our country ! Death 
 to their leader ! May an evil star rise over them ! 
 May their names be forgotten ! May their bones, 
 whiten our land ! They come to us with multitudes. 
 They bring the fiends themselves against us. They 
 believe that we shall bend as weak reeds before 
 their will. In silence let us call on them the 
 Curse of the Akbare. To the sorcerer leader and 
 the men who follow him ! ' 
 
 He spoke, and crossed his old hands upon his 
 jewel, and the men who were present crossed their 
 hands upon their swords — in another instant it 
 seemed as if a spell were resting upon the bridal 
 company. Before long the silence became un- 
 natural ; but no one could break it, and it still 
 lasted on ; until in itself it was painful, terrible, a
 
 38 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 weight of oppression under which none dared to 
 breathe. And still it was held — when suddenly 
 a curtain rustled, a messenger entered the Hall of 
 the Escola ; and in an instant, with a sound low as 
 a sigh, a single universal movement stirred the 
 guests. They were not left without another cause 
 for dread, for the Estri followed the messenger from 
 the hall. It must be some grave reason which 
 in this sudden fashion could call Estri Ascar from 
 his wedding-feast. 
 
 All tongues were loosened. And since minds 
 were turned to Alvo, it was natural that the young 
 leader should inspire them — the more so, since the 
 phantoms which had gathered round his name 
 made fanciful horrors, fit for a wedding-night. His 
 marvellous beauty was mentioned — the women 
 shuddered, and were interested ; his physical 
 feebleness — the men displayed contempt ; the blood 
 which he drank to support his failing health, his 
 nightly spells for the assistance of the demons. 
 The Hall of the Escola was full of conversation 
 when a curtain moved, and the bridegroom entered 
 it. In another instant, when his face was visible, 
 a silence of breathless terror filled the place. 
 
 Ascar stood in the midst. His face was pale, 
 his dark eyes fixed ; the young handsome bride- 
 groom was transformed as by a spell. Once, 
 twice, he attempted, he tried in vain to speak, 
 and each time his trembling mouth refused the
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI ASCAR. 39 
 
 words. And then the words came, and fell into 
 deepest silence, the silence of a terror more 
 piercing than suspense. Motionless, rigid, with 
 hanging arms and parted lips, the bride sat silent, 
 with her blank eyes turned to him. 
 
 ' A message from the Estria. Without the delay 
 of another instant I must attend the trial of the 
 Governor of Neridah. The truce is broken. We 
 may expect the approach of Ursan. And the Nira 
 — the Nira take part with the enemy.' 
 
 There was silence. With wide-opened eyes the 
 bride started from her seat — scarcely conscious, 
 panting, quivering from head to foot ; whilst Ascar, 
 with a face of hunger and despair, strode up to her 
 to give his last embrace. All heard her wild cry, 
 saw her repulse him with her hands, and saw that 
 he seized her with an iron grasp ; that he crushed 
 kisses on her, and with fierce, broken words com- 
 manded her to await his return to the Escola. As 
 he released her, and she fell back, almost fainting, 
 he turned away abruptly, as if he could bear no 
 more, flung orders to his servants, signed to Olbri 
 to follow him, and strode through the midst of the 
 guests, and from the Hall. Behind him were lights, 
 confusion, the trembling, awe-struck company, the 
 disordered banquet, the silent instruments and 
 minstrels — the whole spectacle surging in one 
 tumult in his brain as he passed the threshold and 
 went out into darkness. His hope had touched
 
 40 7 HE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 him and it was torn from him like the torn roses 
 which he flung upon the ground. In a frenzy of 
 mingled rebellion and despair he left the banquet 
 and strode out into the night
 
 III. 
 
 What a bridal night is this ! . . . 
 Laden with the chill of death 
 Is its breath. 
 
 A something light as air — a look, 
 A word unkind or wrongly taken — 
 
 Oh, love that tempests never shook, 
 A breath — a touch like this hath shaken ! 
 
 They went together down the dark path, Ascar 
 and Olbri, the path which led to the foot of the 
 Escola, weird now with shadows of overhanging 
 branches, though moonlight shone upon the great 
 plain below. The familiar scene and the familiar 
 companion, the cold air of the night-time and its 
 solitude, were strange as a dream after the heat, 
 lights, and clamour, the music, the madness of the 
 wedding-feast. But Ascar was still hot with wine 
 and disappointment, jarred from head to foot by 
 anxiety and grief, unable to console himself even 
 by repeating passionately that before the next 
 sunset he would be with his bride again. He had 
 not forgotten that, at the moment of their parting, 
 Ered had tried to thrust back his embrace. He 
 
 41
 
 42 TIJE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 was angry with her, troubled that he should be 
 angry, appalled at the darkness which was closing 
 round their lives. Sore with irritation, he could 
 scarcely bear the silence, and yet was not pleased 
 v/hen his companion spoke. For the first time it 
 occurred to him that the wizard's son should show 
 respect when he addressed a nobleman. 
 
 ' The Estri is on foot,' said Olbri, accustomed to 
 reprove his friend, ' when he should have taken 
 with him horses, arms and men. Thou art so dis- 
 dainful, Ascar, of the most ordinary precautions ; 
 thy valour needs a background of experience.' 
 
 1 1 return to-morrow,' answered Ascar, haughtily, 
 ' so there can be no need for me to surround myself 
 with an army. My own horse is lame, and I will 
 ride no other ; and, moreover, on these rocky paths 
 I prefer to be on foot. If we are attacked I have, 
 at any rate, my sword ; and, besides, thou art with 
 me, if that counts for anything.' 
 
 ' It may count for something,' Olbri answered, 
 lightly, although the words had not been spoken 
 as a jest. ' But a creature who is not an Estri 
 must not venture to pretend that he has the valour 
 of the Estria.' 
 
 It was evident that the wizard's son was not 
 respectful. The Estri had been too indulgent. . . . 
 Then, ashamed of the moment's thought, stung 
 with a sense that he was being ungrateful, Ascar 
 spoke with more quickness and less haughtily.
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI AS CAR. 43 
 
 At that moment they had reached the foot of the 
 Escola, and could see the great plain, and the stars 
 above the plain. 
 
 c I hoped that the Governor of Neridah had 
 escaped/ he said, with a manner and voice more 
 like his own. ' He is an old man, and his 
 daughters are beautiful — everywhere they are 
 called the Roses of the Alidrah. At one time 
 I fancied that I loved one of them, and for her 
 sake I still wish well to her father. But the new 
 Governor accuses him of being Alvo's friend, and, if 
 that is true, he deserves the punishment of death.' 
 
 Olbri did not answer at once. Ascar had 
 observed before that he paused at any mention 
 of the accused Governor's name. Then he said 
 lightly — 
 
 1 Ah, Alvo, the blood-drinker. No man who 
 loves wine should call himself his friend. The 
 sorcerer Alvo, I feel drawn to him. The sorcerer's 
 son should meet the sorcerer ! ' 
 
 He had spoken lightly, but Ascar turned to- 
 wards him with such anger as he had never dis- 
 played before. 
 
 ' Thou jestest at everything,' he cried with fury, 
 ' at every enemy, every peril of the land ! It is no 
 wonder that thou are called a traitor, and that I 
 am accused of being a traitor's friend. The hus- 
 band of a Nira ! That might be forgiven, but I 
 shall not be forgiven for companionship with thee ! '
 
 44 THE ROMANCE OE A COUNTRY. 
 
 Even as they fell, he would have recalled the 
 words, but they were spoken, and there was no 
 escape. Olbri did not answer, and in silence they 
 passed from the shadow of the rock to the moon- 
 light on the plain. 
 
 The silence, the starlight, had rebukes for Ascar, 
 but he was still heated, beyond measure tempest 
 tossed, more ready to justify his conduct to him- 
 self than to humiliate himself by penitence. Was 
 it for Olbri to be injured, to be sullen — Olbri, for 
 whom he had sacrificed so much ? And yet, as a 
 quick, light touch saved him as he stumbled, Ascar 
 felt once more the reproach of ingratitude. But 
 he could not speak, and his companion fell behind 
 him ; it seemed easier to be silent a little while. 
 Youth is soon sorry, but it is sure of life, and 
 counts on opportunities. 
 
 Olbri, meanwhile, was saying, as he lingered 
 more and more, with sadness rather than anger in 
 his heart, — 
 
 1 So it has come the time of separation, though 
 I did not think Ascar's lips would tell me so. But 
 I will stay with him till he has joined his comrades, 
 it may be the last service I can offer him.' 
 
 They went on in silence along the rough paths, 
 beneath the light of the moon, and the radiance of 
 the stars. 
 
 And now a shout greeted them from a band of 
 figures, who were, like themselves, on the way to
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI ASCAR. 45 
 
 Neridah — foot soldiers, summoned to attend the 
 Governor's trial, and delighted to have Estri 
 Ascar's company. Their leader, a stalwart cap- 
 tain, who knew the young Estri, whispered apart 
 to Ascar that he had some fear of an attack — it 
 was said that a band of Rema were concealed in 
 the neighbourhood — he was glad to observe that 
 the Estri had a sword ! The reproof was good- 
 humoured, and restored Ascar to good-humour, 
 whilst the prospect of danger was exhilarating — his 
 dark eyes were shining with their accustomed 
 eagerness when he turned round to summon 
 Olbri to his side. But Olbri was gone, and during 
 a few minutes it was impossible to discover what 
 was become of him. The leader was impati- 
 ent, but Ascar would not move ; his compunction 
 did not allow him to part in this manner from his 
 friend. 
 
 It appeared at length that the wizard's son had 
 left a message ; he had gone back to find a gold 
 charm which he had lost, and when he had found 
 it, or had given up the search, he would come on 
 alone to Neridah and would join the Estri there. 
 Ascar was uneasy, although relieved by the mes- 
 sage, which he felt was intended to give him that 
 relief — he did not like to leave his companion 
 alone, almost unarmed, exposed to all dangers of 
 the night. But he had been summoned to the 
 Governor's trial, and was under necessity to reach
 
 46 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 the town before dawn ; and, moreover, Olbri was 
 always quick and skilful, much more apt in any 
 time of peril than himself. He yielded, therefore, 
 reluctantly, to the will of Bere, the leader, and per- 
 mitted the little band to resume its march, with 
 the inward promise that when he met his friend 
 he would be gracious and they would not dispute 
 again. Ah, fool, in such times of danger to count 
 on the morrow's sun, even after the experience of 
 the wedding-feast ! Full of fancies and dreams he 
 scarcely saw the wood they entered, the dark trees 
 that shut the stars away. 
 
 And then, in an instant — he had not time to 
 think — he knew they were surrounded, he heard 
 the clash of arms ; he saw the gleam made by 
 torches in the darkness, and wild savage faces on 
 every side of him. He struck out fiercely, but his 
 blows struck trees and air ; it was dark, he was 
 confused, he knew not what he did ; he received a 
 blow on the temple, his sword fell from his hands, 
 he felt himself falling, as if he were sinking through 
 the night. And then, when, confused, with aching 
 eyes and head, he struggled, as one in a dream, to 
 get to his feet, he became aware that his movements 
 were impeded, and then that both hands and feet 
 were bound with cords, As he struggled to a re- 
 clining position all slowly became clear — distinct 
 as a fiery dream in the night's darkness. 
 
 They were in the wood ; there were torches, Ian-
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI AS CAR. 47 
 
 terns near them; on all sides his comrades lay upon 
 the ground; above them stood dark men with long 
 gleaming knives, which they raised at each motion 
 that the captives made. Near Ascar, with blood 
 streaming from his wounded side, lay a handsome 
 lad who had known the young Estri well, who had 
 served often as his attendant in the hunt, in the 
 pleasant familiarity of such companionship. He 
 looked up now with a smile in his dark eyes, as 
 he became aware of the presence of the nobleman. 
 
 'A bad day for us, Estri Ascar,' he whispered 
 below his breath, at once exhausted by his attempt 
 to speak. 
 
 Ascar could not answer, for some men laid hold 
 of him, and dragged him roughly over the uneven 
 ground. Once more for a while he found himself 
 bewildered as if he were sinking through unfathom- 
 able darkness. 
 
 He recovered to hear the sound of angry voices, 
 and to be conscious that men were disputing over 
 him — two men who seemed to be leaders from the 
 richness of their dress, and from the authority of 
 their manner and words. They were violently angry, 
 and their voices rose and fell in the fierce grating 
 accents of the Rema tongue ; but Ascar, although 
 he had learned the Rema language, listened long 
 in vain before he could distinguish words. He 
 was only able to catch at last one sentence — a shrill, 
 screamed sentence from the man who turned away.
 
 4S THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' The Leopard shall know of it, the Leopard 
 shall know ! ' he cried. * It shall be worse in 
 the end, Corlon, for thy prisoner and for thee ! ' 
 
 His glance dwelt on Ascar with malignant 
 hatred before, turning to his men, he addressed 
 some words to them. In an instant all knives 
 were unsheathed with many jests, the mirth of 
 men who have congenial work to do. And in 
 the same instant the meaning flashed on Ascar 
 — the prisoners were doomed, the prisoners would 
 be killed! 
 
 He had no time for thought. He was roughly 
 told to rise. The man that had been called 
 Corlon appeared to take charge of him. He 
 was placed in the midst of a little band of men 
 who, without any delay, prepared to leave the 
 wood. There was only one moment — one instant's 
 awful knowledge of torches, lanterns, and long 
 knives red with blood, of low groans uttered by 
 the wounded and dying, of dark forms bending 
 over them to strike again. His head swam, his 
 knees trembled, — sight and knowledge deserted 
 him ; for some instants he remained insensible. 
 He was moving, and there were others moving 
 near him ; that single faint consciousness was all 
 he had. 
 
 And then — he was standing upon a bare hill- 
 side, with Corlon near him, and the little band 
 of men, and a few horses tied to the olive-trees,
 
 THE WEDDING-NIGHT OF ESTRI ASCAR. 49 
 
 misty as shadows in the grey light of the dawn. 
 His hands, feet were bound ; he was a helpless 
 captive ; dark, cruel faces were on every side of him ; 
 far away in the distance, over the great plain, the 
 first signs of morning were breaking through the 
 darkness. The wedding-night was over. 
 
 VOL. I. D
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI 
 ASCAR. 
 
 S^OF^S
 
 Ad perennis vitas fontem mens sitivit arida, 
 Claustra carnis praesto frangi clausa quasrit anima r 
 Gliscit, ambit, electatur, exul frui patria.
 
 IV. 
 
 We sinners do beseech thee to shew thy pity upon all 
 prisoners and captives. 
 
 ASCAR stood, bewildered, in the light of the early 
 morning, whilst the sky flushed rapidly with the 
 crimson of the sunrise, for the first time able to 
 think, to realise the tremendous change that had 
 overwhelmed his life. It was all over, his comrades 
 had been killed ; he was bound, a prisoner, in the 
 hands of enemies. For the first instant it was only 
 possible to be sensible of absolute astonishment. 
 But the Rema were masters who were well disposed 
 to give their captives enough to think about. 
 
 1 Take that for thy pretty face, Estri,' said Corlon 
 as he passed him, dealing him a buffet with the 
 greatest possible good-will — so that for the first 
 time Ascar understood that the pleasure of striking 
 makes some men give blows. The Rema laughed 
 loudly, and seemed to be as pleased as if they had 
 been hearing some well-flavoured jest ; with the 
 greatest good-humour then gathered round their 
 
 53
 
 54 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 leader that they might receive instructions for the 
 day. Ascar stood apart, and blood rose to his face r 
 burning it with the sense of shame and indignity. 
 His feet were bound, and he would make no effort 
 to escape which might give them an excuse for 
 insulting him. 
 
 Ah ! during those instants what bitter yearnings 
 rose for Ered, Olbri, from whom he was separated 
 now ; and what would he not have given to 
 remember that he had parted from each with 
 tenderness? It was almost a relief to be roused 
 from such remorse by the men who closed round 
 him as his body-guard, although in a moment 
 he became aware that he would have to endure 
 fresh suffering — the position of the insect which 
 sees around it those who are strong to hurt 
 helplessness, and to whom the sight of pain is 
 sport ! 
 
 1 Hola, Estri,' cried one, in the language of the 
 Alidrah, though with the vilest accent in which 
 any tongue could speak, ' we are set to watch thee 
 while the others have their meal, and it is only 
 fitting that we should have some sport. Thou 
 shalt sing, shalt run, shalt dance for us, little Estri, 
 or we will prick thee with our swords, or lay a 
 scourge across thy back. Run now. Thou wilt 
 move so gracefully with our cords at thy heels. 
 I tell thee, run, or it shall be worse for thee.' 
 
 With a sinking at the heart which made his
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 55 
 
 blood feel cold, Ascar realised that it would be 
 worse for him ; but what Estri of the Alidrah 
 taught an Estri's pride, could resign himself to obey 
 such commands as these? He remained still, 
 self-angry for inward shuddering, and was then 
 dragged, struck, and kicked by his body-guard 
 and at last thrown over, and beaten with the most 
 vigorous stripes that his captors could inflict. 
 Perhaps the fear had been worse than the pain, 
 for he was not unused to hardships, though the 
 adventures of the chase had not prepared him for 
 such torments ; he mustered patience and endured 
 his chastisement until he was allowed to rise to his 
 feet. Stiff, irritated, with each nerve in a rage, 
 he had now to endure the amusement of the band. 
 And yet these men must have been bred on mother's 
 milk, these fiends who had no pity for his suffer- 
 ings ! 
 
 1 Let the Estri alone, Nardi,' cried Corlon from 
 a distance, where he sat squatted above his morn- 
 ing meal ; ' he shall fast while we eat, and as soon 
 as we have done he shall learn to run until he can 
 run fast enough.' 
 
 Ascar heard the men crying that Maravel Corlon 
 knew — he would give the Estri a lesson when the 
 morning meal was over ; and then they all threw 
 themselves down to eat and rest, leaving him to 
 remain standing near them, breakfastless. Sick, 
 an g r y> ashamed, and hard-pressed with despair,
 
 56 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 Ascar could not think even of his friend or of his 
 bride. He stood gazing helplessly over the wide 
 plain, the vast extent from which no help came to 
 him. The Spirits were angry, they had been 
 angry with his marriage, they left him to be in 
 the hands of his enemies. He could not pray to 
 them, although he longed to pray ; he was in- 
 vaded by a dark sense of punishment. Ah ! if 
 he could not reach the Akbare — the Spirits of 
 the Earth — how much less the Silence . . . where 
 the gods live . . . 
 
 And now the short meal was over, the horses 
 were untied — there were only a few horses for the 
 band of men — and, whilst preparations were being 
 made for departure, the dark-faced leader came up 
 to him. By his side was another man who was 
 taller, slenderer, and who gazed at Ascar with 
 cold, observing eyes — himself also a leader, as was 
 evident by the gold brooch, the Rema sign of 
 authority. He appeared to address some advice 
 to the other Maravel, which Corlon received with 
 the utmost impatience and disdain, turning away 
 to call the men to bring his horse, and to attach 
 the prisoner to the saddle with a cord. Ascar 
 could not understand Corlon when he spoke to 
 him, though the words were supposed to be uttered 
 in the language of the Alidrah ; but as the Maravel 
 mounted and the horse began to move, he grasped 
 with one shock of terror the nature of his punish-
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 57 
 
 ment. One instant's experience of sickening, 
 mortal dread, then one vain effort to keep pace 
 with the steed, and then he was dragged over the 
 uneven ground, with darkness and flashes of fire 
 in his brain and eyes. And then all was over . . . 
 he was lying on the ground ... he could see dark 
 faces between him and the sky. Terror and suffer- 
 ing alike were past ; he was in the condition that 
 is beyond the reach of pain. 
 
 The other leader, whom the men seemed to call 
 Iscar, had checked Corlon's horse by his hand 
 upon its rein, and now dismounted, with severe, 
 scornful words, that he might examine the condi- 
 tion of the captive. It was by his orders, or it 
 appeared to be, that Ascar found himself lifted 
 from the ground, his wounds bandaged, and his 
 hair drenched with water, while his lips were 
 wetted with some rough kind of wine. Even 
 these attentions, however, could not entirely re- 
 vive him ; his limbs were powerless, and his head 
 was faint ; he was only conscious that after a 
 while they bound his eyes, and that he was laid 
 upon the back of a horse. Weak, weak to help- 
 lessness, and burned with fever, he knew no more 
 on that day, or for many days. No more — he 
 had a haunting dream that he was being always 
 carried onwards, but beyond that sensation his 
 mind was powerless. 
 
 It passed, however, after a while, the time of
 
 58 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 fever, the indescribable oppression which tor- 
 mented him, the sensation of being carried to 
 some unknown country, where he would be left 
 in darkness, lost for ever. He began to recover, 
 to hear the voices of the Rema, and even to relish 
 the food and wine they gave, to be aware that his 
 wounds were healing, and to know when he was 
 laid on the ground and his bandages were changed. 
 And then that time also passed into heavy sleep — 
 the reaction by which nature recruits itself — and 
 in one or two more days he was sensible that the 
 tide of young life flowed in his veins again. The 
 next day, in the early morning, after a night of 
 broken rest, he heard a halt called, and was lifted 
 from his horse. The bandage was taken from his 
 eyes ; and, with a sharp, penetrating thrill, he 
 wondered if he had been brought to some lonely 
 place to die. 
 
 This was what he saw as he stood with trembling 
 eyelids, oppressed even by the light of the rising 
 sun — the great plain round him, and immediately 
 in front of him a solitary rock which reared itself 
 above the plain. Iscar was gone, and most of the 
 men were gone — there were only left Corlon, a few 
 on horseback like their leader, and one or two 
 who had dismounted, and were laying hold of him 
 that they might place him with his back to the 
 rock. Still confused, he became aware that near 
 him were iron rings, and that fetters were being
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 59 
 
 fastened to his wrists ; then that with these he was 
 attached to the rings on each side of him so that 
 it was scarcely possible to move. They would kill 
 him now ! but they did not try to kill him, they 
 stood in front of him, and laughed out in his face ; 
 they mounted their horses, and shouted words of 
 greeting, and waved their arms in the action of 
 farewell. Bewildered, convinced that they in- 
 tended to kill him, he could not understand that 
 they were going away ; not even when he saw that 
 their horses' heads were turned, and that their 
 dark faces were grinning back at him. In another 
 instant his dazed eyes followed them as with swift 
 movements they swept across the plain — they were 
 gone, they were lost, and he was left alone, with 
 his back to the rock, in the midst of solitude. 
 There was not a sign of any human being; he 
 stood there with fettered hands — he was alone.
 
 V. 
 
 Who wickedly is wise, or madly brave, 
 Is but the more a fool, the more a knave. 
 
 And, meanwhile, upon Ascar's fatal wedding- 
 night, Maravel Rudol had lingered in the wood 
 that he might arrange the division of the plunder 
 after Corlon had departed with the young noble- 
 man. There was not much plunder, however, to 
 be found on the dead bodies — on the leader was a 
 gold ring, on another man a purse ; these were the 
 only valuable prizes, and these Rudol claimed, 
 without hesitation, for himself. The men dared 
 not complain, for they observed their leader's 
 scowl, his thin lips twitching, his hands playing 
 with his sword ; they had never seen him so angry 
 since the days when Maravel Alvo lived in Ursan's 
 camp. 
 
 ' He will hate Corlon,' they whispered to each 
 other, ( as he hates the young leader.' 
 
 It was now time to leave the wood, for they might 
 be surprised from Neridah ; though, as they num- 
 
 60
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 61 
 
 bered forty men, they were not much afraid. One 
 valiant soldier had a notion of his own, — 
 
 ' Why should we not go on and take the town ? ' 
 
 'Remove his plunder for speaking/ the leader 
 growled, and pointed to his own heap, upon which 
 it was laid forthwith. 
 
 No one ventured to complain of this command 
 — the mood of Maravel Rudol demanded obedi- 
 ence. And it went ill with any man who offended 
 Rudol, for he was the favourite of the old Maravel. 
 
 Not a beauty although a favourite ! since even 
 the wavering light of torches could not soften the 
 defects of this leader's face and form, which might 
 have justified the opinion of the Alidrah concerning 
 the appearance of its enemies. The eyes of Rudol 
 were small, his features ill-set and crooked, his 
 forehead so low as to be almost imperceptible — 
 for which reasons his men called him the ' Delight 
 of Eyes ' whenever he was not likely to be near 
 enough to hear. A dangerous title ! but the 
 tongues of Rema soldiers cared little for danger 
 when they indulged their venom. 
 
 ' What story will he carry to the Leopard 
 now ? ' they whispered. ' The wretched Corlon 
 will be torn limb from limb.' 
 
 ' All the same, he need not have claimed our 
 prisoner. That prisoner was a nobleman. His 
 chain was valuable.' 
 
 'What does it matter to us if it was valuable?
 
 62 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 Maravel Rudol would have taken it. Corlon is a 
 fiend, but he lets his men have plunder. And 
 Maravel Alvo — he is generous.' 
 
 The sun was rising as these words were said, 
 and they looked down from a hill-side on the 
 wood which they had left. One solitary figure 
 was hastening towards it ; it was Olbri, upon 
 his way to Neridah. The men would have been 
 willing to return and chase him, but they dared 
 not speak to their leader, who was already far in 
 front ; and meanwhile Olbri, unconscious of dan- 
 ger or calamity, entered the dark wood, and was 
 lost to view. The Rema, unseen, hastened to 
 rejoin their leader ; and pursued their way un- 
 molested until they reached Ursan's camp. 
 
 In a few days they reached it. They had 
 travelled northwards, keeping under the hills to 
 the left of the great plain. The journey had been 
 rough, and they were all disheartened because of 
 the small amount of plunder they had gained. 
 Rudol, for his part, had his own cause for fury, 
 as he urged his horse restlessly over the rocky 
 paths. It should go ill with Corlon if he could 
 compass his revenge, and yet it was not of Corlon 
 that he thought. 
 
 It is possible for a great love to make us churlish, 
 from our wish to keep all our affection for one 
 object of desire ; and in like manner a great hatred 
 can absorb our bitterness, so that we shall grudge
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 63 
 
 the wrath that another object claims. Whatever 
 feelings of malice entered Rudol turned to one 
 object as the rivers to the sea; they were fresh 
 items in one long reckoning which should yet be 
 visited on the young leader's head. With this 
 perpetual sensation in his heart, not less burning 
 because of its present helplessness, in the hot light 
 of a summer's afternoon, with his men behind him, 
 he entered Ursan's camp. 
 
 They had turned to the hills before they reached 
 the camp, and had wandered amongst the rocky 
 ways for hours, until they crossed the Tordrade 
 which leaps and sparkles there, reserving its so- 
 lemnity for the plain below. They crossed the 
 stream not far from the Varidi (waters music), the 
 beautiful waterfall loved by the mountain-tribes, 
 pleasant to see and hear with its rushing, driven 
 foam, before entering on the brawls and licence of 
 the camp. Rudol stood on the rough bridge, and 
 gazed into the water — after stumbling, and glanc- 
 ing covertly to see if there were any smiles ; but in 
 all the beauty of the rushing foam and torrent he 
 saw but one object — the young leader's face. A 
 beautiful face ! he saw it in the dust, and himself 
 at last able to place his foot on it. 
 
 The camp, which they entered now, was in a 
 nook amongst the hills, and had been for many 
 reasons selected by the Leopard (thus named on 
 account of an animal, sent from a distant land,
 
 64 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 with whom Ursan had been reared in childhood ; 
 or so at least tradition said). The place was 
 difficult to attack, and easy to defend, not far from 
 the Alidrah, and close to the mountain-tribes, with 
 some of whom the Maravel was conducting nego- 
 tiations which would enable him to move forward 
 without danger at his rear. And yet, in spite of 
 these advantages, the Rema soldiers wondered 
 that their leader allowed them to remain in idle- 
 ness ; and some of them imagined secret ways and 
 counsels, and waited for further events to supply 
 the information they desired. They were used to 
 secrecy ; not one of Ursan's leaders could fathom 
 the schemes of the old Maravel. 
 
 The blaze of noonday was on the camp when 
 they entered it ; but the heat had not affected the 
 spirits of its occupants, to judge by the uproar 
 which rose from every side. The sound of the 
 rushing Varidi was lost in coarse jests, loud 
 laughter, the rattle of drinking-cups, the clamour 
 of rude singing, angry words, and fighting, all 
 mingled in indescribable uproar. A camp of 
 extraordinary licence ! in which, at first sight, it 
 appeared as if each man governed himself without 
 fear of a ruling power ; for only a long acquaintance 
 could reveal the complete control exercised by the 
 Maravel. It was in this manner, through permitted 
 evil, that the Leopard preferred to make his power 
 felt ; uproar and licence did not trouble him so
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 65 
 
 long as his soldiers were obedient. And indeed 
 they obeyed him most implicitly ; they said ' It 
 was better to obey than to be torn ; ' and every 
 experience confirmed the knowledge that they 
 had ample reason to dread their Maravel. To this 
 statement, however, it should in honesty be added 
 that they rendered him at the same time their 
 supremest love ; their inexplicable, treacherous, 
 terrible old leader was the one man they thought 
 worthy of ' a place among the gods.' He had 
 the crown of success ; since he had been their 
 Leader-King he had never failed to lead them to 
 victory. 
 
 And now Rudol stood in the camp in deep 
 reflection, already beginning to feel some thrills of 
 fear, and to doubt whether it were safe to seek the. 
 dreaded Maravel with angry complaints of an 
 action ordered by himself. His men lay about on 
 the ground, drank wine, and watched him with 
 furtive glances that did not betray their thoughts, 
 though it is difficult to conceal hostility from an 
 irritable and jealous consciousness. Once Rudol 
 turned on them, but, accustomed to the movement, 
 he could only see them lying with their wine-cups 
 by their sides ; and it was not until he disappeared 
 among the tents that their laughter and foul 
 epithets broke out unrestrained. Rudol did not 
 hear them, he had other work to do ; already he 
 had entered the tent of the Maravel. 
 
 VOL. I. E
 
 66 THE ROMANCE OF A C0UN1 RY. 
 
 No other man in the camp durst have entered 
 there unsummoned, but this leader had the privi- 
 leges of an acknowledged favourite, although the 
 conflict between dread and fury in his breast was 
 displayed in the hesitation of his steps. As he 
 entered he started like a criminal on hearing him- 
 self greeted by his leader's voice. Soft tones had 
 that voice, but to those familiar with Ursan the 
 strangest thoughts were recalled by its harmony. 
 
 * Welcome, Rudol,' now murmured its gracious, 
 mellow accents. ' Come, sit at my feet. I was 
 expecting thee.' And Rudol advanced and bent 
 his head and knee without raising his glance to 
 meet his leader's eyes. 
 
 Ursan was seated upon a bale of goods, with 
 another and larger bale behind his back, above 
 him hanging the lamp by whose aid he wrote at 
 night, or held midnight consultations with the 
 leaders of his troops. He had been leaning for- 
 ward with his head upon his hand, and the expres- 
 sion of one who is lost, absorbed in thought ; but 
 as Rudol entered, he slowly raised himself, and 
 his grey eyes became keen, as if they had been 
 lit within. Rudol felt their glance, but dared not 
 raise his own. Rent with fear and anger he found 
 words impossible. His leader appeared to like the 
 sight of his discomfort, and enjoyed it in silence 
 for a while before he spoke. 
 
 * Ah, was thine expedition successful ? ' Ursan
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 67 
 
 asked, in one of the smoothest tones of his soft 
 voice. 
 
 Rudol made with his hand a motion of assent. 
 He knew that he was being played with, and 
 would not deign to speak. Rudol was not brave, 
 but on this particular occasion his wrath enabled 
 him to be unusually courageous. For the first 
 time he was conscious of some degree of strength, 
 although in the presence of the Maravel. 
 
 As for Ursan, he smiled, but the smile only 
 added hardness to a mouth which was harder 
 because its lips were full. His gracious tones 
 continued murmuring, evidently he intended to 
 amuse himself. If the Leopard were more dan- 
 gerous at one time than another, it was on such 
 occasions of apparent playfulness. 
 
 1 Did Corlon meet thee ? I sent him after thee. 
 Did he claim a prisoner when the fight was over ? 
 Unfortunate Rudol ! ' and once more Ursan smiled. 
 
 Rudol was silent, stung by the mockery. 
 
 'Were there any gold chains amongst thy 
 prisoners, Rudol ? ' 
 
 1 There was one, Maravel.' 
 
 ' Corlon claimed it, I suppose ? ' 
 
 Rudol was silent. Ursan looked at him more 
 keenly. 
 
 ' And what was he like, this man with the gold 
 chain ? ' 
 
 ' I know not, Maravel,' in slow, sullen tones.
 
 68 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 1 He was young, dark, a nobleman, and a 
 councillor. 
 
 'Young? Ah, ah, thou hast really gained a 
 treasure ! Thou hast done me a service, dear 
 Rudol. It was the Evil Star himself! Thou 
 art astonished, but I have studied the Estria. 
 Hast thou never heard of Ascar of the Escola? 
 Thou art always ignorant,' said Ursan, as his 
 companion did not answer. ' He is the head of 
 the noblest family in the land. We will burn his 
 home soon, and kiss his Nira bride. Were the 
 others all slain as I commanded ? ' 
 ' All— but one, Maravel.' 
 
 With the eyes of Ursan on him, Rudol dared 
 not speak anything but truth. A long experience 
 had taught him that with this terrible commander 
 truth was invariably the safest policy. He did 
 not cease to think so, although the change in 
 Ursan's face warned him that his answer had not 
 been satisfactory. 
 
 ' And where was that one ? ' Ursan asked. ' Did 
 he escape? Did I not give an order that the 
 whole band should be killed ? Are my orders 
 disobeyed ? ' 
 
 Beneath the smoothness of his tone could be 
 heard the fierceness of the old tiger-cat. 
 
 1 Who was this fellow ? If thou hast let an 
 Estri slip, I shall not find it an easy task to 
 pardon thee.'
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTR1 ASCAR. 69 
 
 ' He was not with the others. . . the prisoners 
 spoke of him. . . .' 
 
 Rudol faltered, for his anger had become ab- 
 sorbed in fear. 
 
 1 They called him — Olbri.' 
 
 As he pronounced the word, Ursan's brows 
 relaxed, and he leaned back, more satisfied. 
 
 ' Ah ! Olbri ! ' he said. ' The son of the sorcerer. 
 The Evil Star's hated companion. We may leave 
 him to his countrymen.' 
 
 1 What dost thou not know, Maravel ? ' Rudol 
 cried with admiration. 
 
 A smile from Ursan rewarded the compliment. 
 
 ' I have good spies/ he said, in a deprecating 
 tone. ' Well, I forgive thee. So thou hast been 
 angry with me? ' 
 
 Rudol was silent. 
 
 ' My Rudol can be angry. He ought to be 
 wiser. Although he is most wise.' Ursan's sen- 
 tences fell like stings, but his question was less 
 mocking. ' Will he bring his wisdom to the council 
 in my tent to-night ? ' 
 
 ' If the Maravel please.' 
 
 ' It is as my Rudol please. I can then send him 
 to plunder the Agra. Will Rudol plunder?' 
 
 ' If the Maravel please,' replied Rudol, but this 
 time his tone was eager. 
 
 Ursan laughed softly. His voice became so 
 gentle that it had the effect of a caress.
 
 7o • THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 1 See that you burn every home — but thou 
 wouldst do that for thine own pleasure. Give the 
 women to the soldiers, and throw the children in 
 the fire. Wilt thou take my share of the plunder 
 in exchange for thy nobleman ? I claim half the 
 plunder. Ah ! that pleases thee.' 
 
 Rudol was pleased indeed, for this proof of his 
 leader's favour would have the effect of a poisoned 
 sword on Corlon. With a relieved mind, and an 
 anger half allayed, he dared at length to look at 
 the Maravel. And Ursan from his bale of goods 
 glanced down on him with eyes that seemed full of 
 thoughts which he would not express in words. 
 
 1 Sit down and talk. I will listen to thee and be 
 idle,' he murmured in the sweet, lazy tones which 
 he could command at will. ' The Varidi is not 
 more musical than the sound of my Rudol's voice.' 
 
 My Rudol's voice was of the harshest, most grat- 
 ing nature, but this circumstance increased the 
 compliment. He squatted eagerly down upon the 
 ground — an acknowledged spy who had always 
 much to tell. But whilst he poured out his store 
 of petty news, deeply tinged with his own rivalries 
 and enmities, Ursan, though listening to him atten- 
 tively, listened with eyes that were looking far 
 away. He made no comment when the informa- 
 tion was exhausted ; and, after a moment's silence, 
 Rudol rose. 
 
 1 Ah, why so hasty ? ' asked the Maravel, raising
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI AS CAR. 71 
 
 his head. ' There are still some matters on which 
 I must speak with thee. I have news to tell thee 
 of thy lost nobleman. Sit down. I have listened, 
 and thou must listen too. 
 
 Rudol sat down, with some visible reluctance ; 
 but Ursan even then would not speak, but leaned 
 forward, lost in thought — an expression which 
 made his face seem worn and aged, though it had 
 still firm features beneath hair streaked with grey. 
 The favourite had become impatient of the silence 
 before the old Maravel raised his head at last. 
 Ursan spoke in a low and in a different tone ; he 
 took no trouble to make his voice sound gentle 
 now. 
 
 ' I have heard,' he said, ; from the young leader.' 
 
 Colour flew into RudoFs face, but he only bent 
 his head. Ursan glanced at him before he spoke 
 again. 
 
 1 A long message — for Maravel Alvo.' 
 
 Rudol bent his head once more. 
 
 ' His camp is in order, the Effar are satisfied. I 
 shall never again find a leader who governs men 
 as Alvo does ! ' 
 
 There was silence. 
 
 ' That was not all,' Ursan said in a lower tone. 
 
 Rudol raised his face with a strange, wild gleam 
 of hope. 
 
 1 Alvo hears — certain rumours.' 
 
 1 Certain rumours,' Rudol muttered.
 
 72 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 1 Relating to Me. He asks me to explain 
 them.' 
 
 There could now be no doubt that the Maravel's 
 tone was sinister, and Rudol's heart choked him 
 with eagerness. 
 
 1 He has heard that I intend to make the 
 Alidrah a province of the Rema.' 
 
 4 Ah,' said Rudol. 
 
 He could think of nothing else to say. 
 
 ' That I shall have massacres in this Alidrah — 
 he is never satisfied with my massacres. He is 
 afraid that I shall destroy his country — he loves 
 his country so much, our little Alvo.' 
 
 A pause followed, for Rudol did not think it 
 safe to speak. One feeling — only one feeling — 
 grasped his heart. 
 
 1 So Alvo has dared the Leopard's teeth at last ! ' 
 
 1 It was a respectful message,' Ursan said. 
 Thou mightest learn courtesy from Alvo, Rudol/ 
 
 ' I had rather be rude and honest, Rudol 
 muttered. 
 
 1 Learn honesty then,' said Ursan ; and he smiled. 
 
 But Rudol for once did not heed him. He was 
 excited, trembling, scarcely able to keep still upon 
 the ground. His eyes were full of a vision of his 
 enemy close, close to a monster who was ready for 
 a spring. 
 
 ' Alvo has dared the Leopard's teeth at last. 
 Alvo is so hasty. I knew — I knew he would ! '
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 73 
 
 ' Hast thou, Maravel — ? ' he cried with excite- 
 ment, and then stopped. 
 
 Ursan turned towards him the cold gaze of his 
 eyes. 
 
 1 Have I answered the message ? ' 
 
 ' Ah, truly, Maravel.' 
 
 ' What else should I do ? I answered yesterday.' 
 
 « And—' 
 
 ( Thou would'st ask what I said ? I said some 
 words about the Effar. I praised my son Alvo. 
 I promised to send him money. I said that it 
 delighted me to hear from him.' 
 
 ' And— Maravel— ' 
 
 'Thou would'st ask what else I said? I told 
 Alvo he should not pay heed to idle rumours. I 
 said we would laugh over these stories when we 
 met. What is the matter ? ' — for Rudol gasped 
 for breath. 
 
 ' Your wisdom, Maravel, is great. I dare not 
 say — ' 
 
 1 It is thy wisdom I have asked to hear.' 
 
 Rudol paused to collect strength. 
 I should have told him,' he cried out, ' that I 
 allowed no man to write such words to me ! I 
 should have called him insolent, presumptuous, an 
 upstart, and have warned him that he must pre- 
 pare for punishment' 
 
 His vindictiveness choked him this time, not his 
 terror ; he became silent from necessity.
 
 74 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' Wisdom ! ' cried Ursan. ' The skilful, crafty 
 Rudol ! When I wish that a man should follow 
 me I must begin by striking him ! My little son 
 Alvo is the best of all my tools ; I am to rouse him 
 against myself, and then break him for my pains ! 
 Thou art a fool, Rudol ! ' . 
 Rudol answered sullenly, — 
 ' I have not the wisdom of the Maravel.' 
 * It is prudently spoken.' Ursan's voice was 
 scornful. ' Still, do not be angry, Rudol ; come 
 and listen near my mouth. Instead of permitting 
 Alvo to declare that I have wronged him, I would 
 force him to confess that he has injured me. Your 
 wisdom, Rudol; how shall I manage that?' 
 
 And Rudol's face became bright, though he did 
 not answer for a while. 
 
 ' I would set spies to listen to his words.' 
 ' Ah ! Ah ! Thou rememberest those capricious 
 words. But he never speaks against me ; and, if 
 he did, who would care ? Once more ! ' 
 
 ' I would send men to his camp to raise a riot.' 
 ' They will find it hard to do that in the camp 
 which Alvo rules.' 
 
 ■ I would wait — till he had committed some 
 
 crror- 
 
 That might be to wait long.' 
 
 Rudol was silent, though his face showed 
 eagerness. 
 
 ' Thou hast no answer ? Listen, then, my foolish
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 75 
 
 one. Two of Alvo's nobles are amongst these 
 mountain-tribes. I learned so much from the 
 Sena who brought this message to me. Alvo is 
 too wise to trust his own men in my camp. Rudol, 
 no leader may take another's prisoner. That is a 
 law which even these barbarians own. The injured 
 leader may choose his own amends. Wilt thou now 
 forgive me for stealing thy nobleman ? 
 
 ' Thou art silent. Listen. These men have 
 openly declared that they will release any prisoner 
 left to starve. This Evil Star is our prey. We 
 will chain him to the Essil, the rock on the great 
 plain which these men must pass. They will pass 
 by, will release him, be detected. I shall have 
 been injured, will avenge my injury. Thou art 
 not satisfied ? ' 
 
 ' The men may not pass that way.' 
 * Ah, dost thou think I should leave that to 
 accident? The Effar, my spies, will entice them 
 to the place. The Rema will watch, and take 
 them with their prisoner. Ah ! thou art smiling 
 now. What pleases thee ? ' 
 
 1 Maravel,' asked Rudol, bluntly, ' what will thou 
 do with the men ? ' 
 
 'They shall go to the Leopard's Den. I will 
 not have them in the camp.' 
 
 ' And then — thou wilt write to Alvo ? ' 
 
 ' I have already written to him.' 
 
 There was silence again, and the face of Rudol
 
 76 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 fell. But Ursan 's voice broke the pause in softest 
 tones. 
 
 'Why should I quarrel with my son, my little 
 Alvo? It will be easy for me not to have heard 
 of the dispute. In these times of conflict there is 
 much that is not heard ; or I may have sent to tell 
 Alvo, and have lost my messengers. These men — 
 favourites — shall be my hostages. They will be in 
 my hands to do with them what I please. I can 
 make them the means of treaty if I will, or I can 
 make them the means of punishment.' 
 
 Once more there was silence. Ursan seemed 
 lost in thought ; but the small eyes of Rudol were 
 bright with inward triumph. Ah ! Alvo was close 
 — close to the Leopard's teeth. 
 
 1 Alvo is so fiery. This scheme will ruin him.' 
 
 1 When Alvo knows — ' he said, almost uncon- 
 sciously. And Ursan raised his head as if he had 
 been roused from sleep. ' When Alvo knows — ' 
 
 ' Rudol, it is almost night. Art thou not tired ? 
 Go to thy tent and rest.' 
 
 Rudol was accustomed to such abrupt dismissal. 
 He saluted his master at once, and turned away, 
 observing that Ursan scarcely heeded him, as he 
 sat bent, crouching, with his head upon his hands. 
 A deep abstraction ! But it did not much alarm 
 the man who knew his master, and his master's 
 favourite. The old Maravel might wish to delay 
 an outbreak, but he would never baulk himself of a
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI A SCAR. 77 
 
 scheme so congenial. And the brother-leader, with 
 a nature like a flame — Ah ! there was no fear that 
 he would not destroy himself. 
 
 1 Alvo will find the Leopard's teeth sharp when 
 they are meeting in his neck/ Rudol thought, as he 
 walked through the clamour of the camp. 
 
 Leaving that camp to its open, secret evil, we 
 will seek justice in the Fair Country.
 
 VI. 
 
 And, moreover, I saw under the sun the place of 
 judgment, that wickedness was there ; and the 
 place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 
 
 On the morning that succeeded the wedding-night 
 of Estri Ascar the members of the Council of 
 Neridah were assembled, still keeping the anxious 
 watch which they had maintained through the 
 long hours of the night. Caution was needful — 
 outside was the tread of crowds who had slowly 
 collected round the Council Hall, keeping their 
 own watch through the stormy night, whilst the 
 Councillors waited silently within. There was 
 grandeur in the dim vision of this multitude of 
 men, pressed together, with sombre faces, with 
 weapons in their hands — a great force holding 
 itself in check, until the moment for energy should 
 come. Now and then there were tremulous move- 
 ments through the mass which pressed it together 
 more closely than before ; now and then low 
 murmurs, the murmur of many people, which
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI AS CAR. 79 
 
 reached, like some sound of waters, within the 
 Hall. But the movements ceased, and the mur- 
 murs died away ; the moon waned, the night 
 passed, there came the faint light of the dawn ; 
 and, as if with that light the need for restraint 
 were over, the voices rose again, with greater 
 freedom. 
 
 1 He will come soon,' they said ; and then, ' We 
 hear him coming ; ' and then, as that hope proved 
 vain, ' They will bring him soon.' 
 1 And then the murmurs swelled into angry 
 voices, as if surging waves were rising round the 
 Hall. 
 
 ' Why do not they bring him ? ' 
 
 • They are fooling us ; they do not mean to have 
 a trial.' 
 
 1 They are afraid.' 
 
 1 If they are, it is the first time I have known 
 Maro fear.' 
 
 ' Is he in there ? ' 
 
 ' They say he will kill the Lord Governor.' 
 
 ' Then they say what is false, for we will save 
 him.' 
 
 The members of the Council heard the shouts, 
 and looked on each other. But the crowd went 
 on talking. 
 
 'They say he knew Alvo.' 
 
 ' He never did know Alvo.' 
 
 ' They say he confessed it with his own lips.'
 
 80 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' It is false. He never confessed it.' 
 
 The voices became more and more angry. 
 
 1 Why are they waiting ? ' 
 
 1 They must be afraid.' 
 
 ' They are waiting for the Estri of the Escola.' 
 
 1 And where is the Estri of the Escola ? ' 
 
 ' Oh,' replied one, with a sneer and a shrug, 
 ' Estri Ascar will not be in a hurry, he is keeping 
 his wedding-night.' 
 
 ' He is a good man, is he not, Estri Ascar ? ' 
 
 ' He must be, since he chooses this time to 
 marry a slave.' 
 
 ' Marry a slave ! ' 
 
 The crowd became excited. 
 
 'What better could he do? She is not worse 
 than his friend the sorcerer. Estri Ascar is a 
 happy man, between a sorcerer and a witch ! ' 
 
 ' Burn the witch ! ' 
 
 ' And the sorcerer ! ' 
 
 ' They say he will bring his friend with him 
 to-night' 
 
 ' Then we will tear him in pieces.' 
 
 ( You are wrong in one thing,' said a man. c The 
 lad is not a sorcerer, he is only a sorcerer's son.' 
 
 ' It is all the same.' 
 
 More murmurs, more restless movement, then 
 another outbreak, — 
 
 1 Why do they not begin ? ' 
 
 1 Is Estri Envar in there ? '
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 81 
 
 ' Yes, truly, he is the litre' 
 
 1 What does he come here for ? ' 
 
 ' Because of his love for the Governor's daughter/ 
 one man sneered. 
 
 ' Did he love her ? ' 
 
 ' No, he did not.' 
 
 « Yes, he did.' 
 
 ' We will break open the doors if they do not 
 begin.' * 
 
 So cried the crowd, becoming more impatient 
 every moment. 
 
 And, meanwhile, the unseen Councillors watched 
 and waited anxiously. 
 
 It is certain that no two men do the same thing- 
 in the same way. The waiting Councillors had 
 their points of difference. Some were quiet, some 
 restless, some evidently terrified ; some, in spite of 
 anxiety, overcome with sleep. The most note- 
 worthy in appearance, a tall, dark man, sat 
 perfectly upright, with his chin on his clenched 
 hand — a hand so tightly clenched that it seemed 
 to tell of a passion which was not in his face. 
 This man was Maro, Lord Governor of Neridah. 
 
 In the centre of the Inner Hall was the carved 
 seat of the Iltro, or judge. Here rested (for his 
 eyes were closed, although he moved restlessly) 
 a fair-haired, slender young man, with a gold 
 chain round his neck. He was Estri Envar, one 
 VOL. I. F
 
 82 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 of the principal Estria, who had been summoned 
 from the South to attend the Council. Some 
 said that he was himself under a shadow of 
 suspicion, and that for this reason he had been 
 made the judge. 
 
 The lamps had been extinguished as the 
 pale light of morning entered ; it was already 
 more than time for the trial to begin. Outside 
 the doors could be heard the impatience of the 
 crowd. 
 
 I The Estri of the Escola does not seem 
 disposed to come,' Maro muttered, with some 
 impatience in his tone. ' Estri Envar ! ' 
 
 Envar opened his eyes wearily. 
 ' Would it not be well to have the doors 
 unbarred ? ' 
 
 I I cannot tell/ Envar answered, with a long 
 weary yawn. ' Is not Estri Ascar coming ? ' 
 
 ' He does not come.' 
 
 ' Poor fellow, he is married,' mumbled a fat, 
 sleepy man, who awoke to make this remark, and 
 then went to sleep again. 
 
 1 And the first result of his marriage,' spluttered 
 a choleric little creature, ' is that his Nira witch- 
 bride keeps him away from the Council.' 
 
 1 He had better be punished then.' 
 
 ' Why not punish her ? ' 
 
 ■ Fie ! fie ! ' from a third. * No talk of hurting 
 women.'
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. S3 
 
 1 And why not,' asked the Governor of Neridah, 
 since they hurt us ? ' 
 
 He seemed to glance at the Iltro from the 
 corners of his eyes. There was an uncomfortable 
 silence. 
 
 Envar threw himself back in his carved seat. 
 His face was throbbing with the blood that had 
 risen to it. 
 
 ' Why do we not begin ? ' he asked with fierce 
 impatience, as if he were ready to find some excuse 
 for wrath. 
 
 1 We are ready, Estri,' answered the Governor, 
 quietly. 
 
 ' Give the orders then, Maro.' 
 
 The Estri spoke with haughtiness, but the Gover- 
 nor would not seem to notice his ill-humour. When 
 he had given the order, he leaned ovei Envar's 
 chair. 
 
 ' It is necessary to admit the crowd. I have 
 commanded, in consequence, that all guards should 
 be doubled. You are willing, I trust ? ' 
 
 * I have not thought about it, 5 Envar yawned. 
 
 There was some visible contempt in Maro's 
 glance. The young nobleman observed it, and it 
 roused his perversity. 
 
 ' It will be better to wait for Estri Ascar.' 
 
 ' I think not,' murmured the Governor, with his 
 usual quietness — a calm that proceeded from a de- 
 cided mind — for Estri Ascar was considered a
 
 84 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 friend of the late Governor, and Maro had deter- 
 mined on the late Governor's death. 
 
 ' We do not need more than one Estri,' — he 
 appealed to Envar's vanity. ' The Estri of the 
 Escola is not indispensable.' 
 
 * He is insolent not to obey our summons/ Envar 
 muttered. * But he was always a fool.' 
 
 1 1 thought him talented.' 
 
 In reality, Envar admired Ascar, and Maro con- 
 sidered him a fool ; but it was natural for one to 
 exalt, and the other to depreciate a nobleman. 
 There was no time for any further conversation, 
 for preparations were being made for the trial to 
 begin. The members of the Council arranged them- 
 selves in a semi-circle, indicated by a black line on 
 the pavement of the Inner Hall. The Governor of 
 Neridah alone continued standing, leaning upon 
 the back of Envar's chair. 
 
 ' We must make an attempt to escape a riot,' he 
 said. ' That would be dangerous — with the Rema 
 close at hand.' 
 
 ' Are they so close then ? ' 
 
 ' It is in the air.' 
 
 He could say no more, for at that instant the 
 doors were opened ; and immediately the Hall be- 
 came filled with multitudes. 
 
 Pressed together, a heaving, sullen mass, on all 
 sides could be seen the lowering brows of men. 
 
 1 What guards could protect us if these should
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI A SCAR. 85 
 
 rush on us to save him ? ' whispered Envar, with 
 a thrill that was irresistible. 
 
 ' True,' answered the Governor, with his keen 
 gaze on the crowd ; ' but they hate Alvo, and that 
 hate is his destruction.' 
 
 Envar answered with a thrill of another kind 
 of fear — this trial was more terrible than he had 
 imagined. Doubtless, if he could have foreseen 
 his sufferings, he would not have been so ready 
 to sit in judgment on his friend. 
 
 And now the sound of a disturbance in the dis- 
 tance made it evident that the prisoner came at 
 last. The tramp of guards could be heard, the 
 soldiers' voices ; and then from all sides rose shouts 
 of welcome. 
 
 ' Health, Lord Governor ! We are all here to 
 protect you.' 
 
 ' May all good spirits bless him ! He saved my 
 child.' 
 
 ' He saved me! 
 
 ' We are your guards, Lord Governor. Do not 
 fear.' 
 
 'Listen to their insolence,' muttered Envar; but 
 Maro only smiled. 
 
 The guards forced their way through the Hall, 
 and drew near the Utro's seat. And now before 
 the young Iltro stood the prisoner, with each wrist 
 chained to a guard on each side of him. The 
 crowd looked at him, but the Council looked at
 
 86 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 Envar, who was unable to preserve absolute com- 
 posure. When he had last seen this man whom 
 he must judge, he had received from him a father's 
 tenderness. 
 
 The prisoner was an old man, with an upright 
 figure, and the expression of one long accustomed 
 to command. One careless, proud glance he cast 
 round the crowded Hall ; then saluted the Council 
 with simple dignity. Then he gazed at Envar 
 with a scrutinising glance, as if he were looking on 
 him for the first time. Envar became pale, though 
 he had before been flushed ; his pride had a pang 
 from this indifference. But he who consents to sit 
 in judgment on his friend is well advised if he 
 prepares himself for pangs. 
 
 1 Nart Uvrode,' said Envar, with his usual grace, 
 which did not desert him even in this agitating 
 moment, 'you come here under a heavy accusa- 
 tion. If you are condemned — you will be liable — 
 to the severest penalties.' 
 
 ' To death,' said the Governor, quietly, as he 
 stood behind Envar's chair. 
 
 With equal calmness the prisoner looked at him. 
 But the word was followed in an instant by an 
 uproar, whose irresistible clamour filled the Hall. 
 Uvrode turned quietly to the Iltro's seat, and 
 craved permission to speak to the populace. It 
 was not granted, but he took silence for consent ; 
 and, turning, addressed himself to the multitude
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 87 
 
 His clear, calm tones fell like water upon fire ; but 
 through them spoke an indefinable sadness. 
 
 1 Good people, kind friends, I thank you for 
 your pity. But in a few moments you will cease 
 to care for me. Till then, be silent.' 
 
 And as fire hisses, is extinguished, there fol- 
 lowed one surging movement — then a silence, 
 intense as death. Calmly, as one who has fulfilled 
 his duty, the prisoner turned to the Iltro's seat. 
 
 ' Are you my judge ? ' 
 
 1 Why should I not be your judge ? ' 
 
 1 You are young,' said Uvrode, smiling, ' to 
 judge an old man. I am ready.' 
 
 Envar's face had flushed with rage ; there was 
 no hesitation in his manner now. 
 
 ' You are accused, Nart Uvrode, of having eaten 
 bread with Alvo.' 
 
 There was a moment's silence. 
 
 1 It is true! 
 
 As the words were uttered, a low sound like a 
 groan trembled through the multitudes in the 
 Council Hall. A sudden light darted into Maro's 
 eyes ; for in that murmur he heard the doom of 
 death. 
 
 ' I have known Alvo.' 
 
 1 In battle?' Envar asked, disdainfully. 
 
 ' No, Estri ; when I last fought for my country 
 Alvo was a boy, as you were then.' 
 
 The young Iltro was checked ; but Maro took
 
 88 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 the word, apparently unable to veil his eager- 
 ness. 
 
 1 You are doubtless aware, Nart Uvrode,' he said, 
 speaking- with distinctness, 'that no man may eat 
 with the enemy of his country.' 
 
 His manner was sinister, but no uproar followed. 
 The old man met his glance, looking steadily at 
 him. 
 
 ' It is necessary that I should explain myself. 
 Four years ago we were in the land of the Ar-Nira. 
 The mountain-tribes attacked us, and our home 
 was burned. We were in danger. A young 
 leader came — ' 
 
 'You mean, Alvo came,' the Governor inter- 
 rupted. 
 
 ' Alvo — though that name meant nothing then. 
 He saved my life, and protected my daughters 
 from insult, remaining with us that he might 
 guard us more securely. He fell ill. We took 
 care of him. He was very ill. It may be — it is 
 possible — that our care saved his life.' 
 
 A low, sullen murmur ran through the crowd, 
 and in sudden triumph Maro bent to Envar's 
 chair. 
 
 ' That is his death-warrant/ he whispered ; but 
 Envar's lips were white, and he would not raise 
 his head. 
 
 Maro turned to Uvrode, and the two men 
 looked at each other with the steady glances of
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI A SCAR. 89 
 
 powerful dispositions. There was no personal 
 resentment in one face or the other, even in these 
 instants of a conflict unto death. 
 
 I Ah ! so — ' said the Governor, whilst his right 
 hand stroked his beard — 'it is owing to your 
 attention that this Alvo's life is saved ? ' 
 
 ' It may be so,' Uvrode answered, quietly. 
 And the crowd listened in a silence like despair. 
 ' You do not repent ; you would save his life 
 again ? ' 
 
 I I know him now to be the enemy of my 
 country. Even then, though I loved him, though 
 he had saved my life, I thought him a man 
 whose faults would ruin him.' 
 
 ' And yet you loved him ? ' Maro's voice rose 
 like a hiss. ' And your pretty daughters ? ' 
 1 How dare you speak of them ? ' 
 ' Your pretty daughters love Alvo, it is said.' 
 Uvrode glanced at him, then turned desperately 
 away. 
 
 1 You know my daugJiters, Lord Iltro,' he cried 
 out, in his voice the sound of a desperate appeal. 
 
 A sensation of danger rushed to Envar's heart. 
 With an instinctive movement he turned away his 
 head. And then for the first time the prisoner 
 lost his self-command ; his hands clenched, and all 
 could see him grind his teeth. Only for a moment ; 
 he rallied all his strength, and in another instant 
 his face was calm again.
 
 90 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 It was at this time that there rose a sudden 
 clamour ; cries, groans, even shrieks pierced from 
 without the Hall ; and the tumult without was 
 answered by excitement, for in those days of peril 
 crowds were quick to catch alarm. Ursan was 
 come ! they were all dead men already ! A 
 quivering motion passed through them, as of 
 flight. But the Hall was so crowded that flight 
 itself was impossible. 
 
 ' Calm yourselves,' said Maro, drawing himself 
 up to his height. ' Retain your places. I will 
 send a messenger.' Then, remembering that he 
 was not the Iltro, 'You will send a messenger ?' 
 he whispered to Envar. 
 
 Envar glanced at him peevishly, turned his 
 face away, and moved his shoulders, and then 
 sent a messenger. It was impossible not to feel 
 the bitterness of possessing the name of power 
 without its reality. 
 
 The messenger went, returned, and with a face 
 as pale as death forced his way once more through 
 the excited people. With the same absorbed look, 
 as if he could scarcely see, he stood before the 
 Iltro, and saluted him. 
 
 ' The Estri of the Escola, and the others sum- 
 moned to the Council, are lying dead in the wood 
 outside the town.' 
 
 Through the whole Hall there rang a sudden cry, 
 as if every man in the multitude was doomed
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 91 
 
 ' Who brought the news ? ' cried Envar. 
 
 1 Erv Olbri, the sorcerer.' 
 
 1 How did he know ? ' 
 
 ' He was with them in the fight.' 
 
 ' And how did he escape ? ' asked Maro, suddenly. 
 ' He is wounded, at least ? ' 
 
 ' He is unhurt, Lord Governor.' 
 
 The ugliest smile crept into Maro's eyes. He 
 glanced at Envar, who spoke immediately. 
 
 ' Let Erv Olbri be brought,' commanded the 
 young Iltro. And then, in some doubt, he looked 
 at the prisoner. 
 
 1 Ah, let him wait a few days,' Maro cried. ' We 
 must find these beautiful daughters, that they also 
 may be punished.' 
 
 Uvrode trembled visibly, but he only said, — 
 
 1 I think that you have no daughters, Lord 
 Governor.' 
 
 For one instant Maro turned pale. He had a 
 daughter, but years before she had left her father's 
 home. And instinctively, at the sight of that sign 
 of pain, Uvrode murmured on the instant's impulse, 
 1 Pardon me.' His words were not heeded, the 
 pang of old remembrance had only for an instant 
 pierced the Governor. Already he was dreaming 
 of another victim, who should make the crowd 
 eager by a taste of blood. 
 
 ' Listen,' he whispered to Envar ; ' we must hear 
 this Olbri's story, though the town is fortified,
 
 92 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 and we need not fear. There is one advantage 
 to be gained, at any rate. The son of the sorcerer 
 is in our hands at last' 
 
 Envar looked at him, but could not understand 
 the expression of triumph which had risen on his 
 face. For himself, he was trembling, unable to 
 recover from the sudden tidings of Estri Ascars 
 death. 
 
 Possibly even to Maro that news was a bewilder- 
 ment, but the Governor would not allow himself 
 to dwell on it ; one moment's thought he had 
 given to the condition of the town, and then had 
 returned to his immediate design. He had not 
 deceived himself; the crowd had been gloomy, not 
 excited; his rival had still a hold on its affection ; 
 but this new terror — this old hatred of the wizard 
 — if only he were permitted to conduct this trial 
 himself. For some instants he meditated, with his 
 hand clenched on his mouth, whilst a commotion 
 of exclamations and inquiries filled the Hall. And 
 then, with a manner of excessive deference, and 
 yet full of resolution, he bent to Envar's chair. 
 
 They whispered ; the multitude was restless ; the 
 guards pressed it back by force ; Uvrode kept 
 his eyes on the Iltro and the Governor — the grace- 
 ful youth whom he had once loved as a son, the 
 rival who had stolen his Governership. What 
 were they plotting, these men who cared for 
 power ; and who, as it seemed to him, loved
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 93 
 
 nothing else? What was Maro plotting, whilst 
 Envar moved and twitched, and the Governor 
 bent on him a face, pale, inflexible? The prisoner 
 sighed ; he was a man of steadfast nature, but even 
 his steadfastness yielded to despair. Was another 
 victim to be sacrificed to the ambition of these 
 men, whilst justice — lived in the White Heaven, 
 not on earth ? 
 
 And now — fresh commotion, fresh clamour from 
 the crowd announced the approach of the son of the 
 sorcerer ; and Envar peevishly turned his face away, 
 whilst Maro drew himself up with gleaming eyes. 
 Whatever their dispute had been, it was obvious 
 that he had triumphed. He stood still, resolute, 
 with his lips pressed on each other ; and Uvrode, 
 observing the expression of his mouth, muttered 
 to himself with a thrill, — c That face means death.' 
 
 Ah ! poor, reckless lad, no longer sheltered by 
 an Estri. . . At this moment the crowd parted, and 
 the face of Olbri could be seen. The intent gaze of 
 multitudes was fixed upon it — this second examin- 
 ation would be even more exciting than the first. 
 
 Olbri entered slowly, and his blank, fixed eyes 
 gave his face an expression none had seen it wear 
 before ; it was evident that he had no conscious- 
 ness of danger, since he made no affectation of his 
 usual audacity. His appearance created an im- 
 pression in his favour, and the murmurs which had 
 greeted his entrance died away. The crowd closed
 
 94 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 upon him ; surrounded on all sides, he stood before 
 the Iltro, and saluted him. 
 
 1 Is this dreadful news true, Erv Olbri ? ' Envar 
 asked, and the other Councillors poured out be- 
 wildered questions. 
 
 Olbri answered faintly ; he had still the look 
 of one who has received a shock from which he 
 cannot rouse himself. 
 
 'It is true, Estri,' he said ; and then, shivering, he 
 paused for an instant before he could speak again. 
 
 1 In the early morning I found the bodies in 
 the wood ; they were lying there, but the enemy 
 was gone.' 
 
 ' And — Estri Ascar ? ' 
 
 1 I do not know.' 
 
 ' You do not know ? ' 
 
 ' 1 searched for him,' said Olbri, shivering again. 
 ' The bodies were stripped, gashed — it was difficult 
 to be certain ; but I believe that I did not find 
 him there. He may be alive.' 
 
 His tone of eagerness was pathetic. It said, — 
 ' Do not take my last hope away.' 
 
 The Councillors broke in with questions ; but 
 his answers were impatient ; and at the first pause 
 he addressed his entreaty to the Iltro. 
 
 1 I have brought the news here. And now let 
 me depart that I may join those who are pursuing 
 the enemy. Estri Ascar may be alive.' 
 
 He was already turning away, when a glance
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 95 
 
 from Maro rested on the Iltro for an instant. If 
 the vanity of the Estri were wounded by that 
 summons, Envar did not — perhaps he dared not 
 — delay to respond to it. 
 
 ' Not yet, Erv Olbri,' he said. 
 
 ' Ah, let mego!' 
 
 Olbri was almost in tears, which he restrained 
 with difficulty. Without even waiting for an 
 answer, he turned away. 
 
 1 Come back to your place, Erv Olbri,' said 
 Envar, quietly — the quietness through which 
 speaks authority. 
 
 Olbri turned round, surprised, but still suspect- 
 ing nothing ; at that moment he could only be 
 conscious of the danger of his friend. 
 
 ' As I have known you, Erv Olbri, and your 
 friend, Estri Ascar, I leave your examination to 
 a more impartial judge. You are under suspicion, 
 and must submit to trial. I resign my seat to the 
 Governor of Neridah.' 
 
 Envar said the words gracefully, and they were 
 greeted with applause — at that moment he felt 
 almost contented with himself. He rose with the 
 grace of one who performs a voluntary action, and 
 Maro came forward to the carved seat of the Iltro. 
 Olbri was roused by an unexpected thrill ; and yet, 
 even then, he was scarcely sensible of fear. Only, 
 as the Governor looked on him with cold, fixed eyes, 
 rose the thought, ' I have no Ascar to defend me now.'
 
 96 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 1 You were with the rest of the band before the 
 battle, Erv Olbri ? ' Maro asked. 
 
 ' Not with them. I did not choose to walk with 
 them.' 
 
 ' Not with Estri Ascar ? ' 
 
 1 Estri Ascar was with the leader.' 
 
 There was some audible bitterness in Olbri's tone. 
 
 ' But you were with the others ? ' 
 
 8 Only for an instant. I went back to find this 
 charm — this gold bee — which I had lost.' 
 
 1 Is it possible that you hoped to find so small 
 a thing?' 
 
 ' I found it.' 
 
 ' And then—' 
 
 ' I tried another path, and lost my way.' 
 
 ' All the paths here should be familiar to 
 you.' 
 
 I But they are not.' 
 
 His breast heaved indignantly. The Governor 
 smiled, as if he enjoyed his questions. 
 
 ' You found the right path, I suppose — when the 
 fight was over ? ' 
 
 I I did,' said Olbri. 
 ' Are you brave ? ' 
 Olbri was silent. 
 
 1 You do not answer me.' 
 
 1 How can I answer ? ' 
 
 At this moment the crowd howled, ' Coward.' 
 
 Olbri smiled.
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 97 
 
 ' Is it not true, Erv Olbri, that you have said 
 a man who dies for his country — is a fool ? ' 
 
 1 1 said so in jest,' said Olbri. But he coloured 
 now with shame. 
 
 ' You have said that the Rema are as good as 
 the people of the Alidrah ? ' 
 
 ' I said that in jest.' 
 
 ' You have said many things in jest ? Is it in 
 jest that you imagine yourself brave ? ' 
 
 Olbri was silent. 
 
 ' Or that you did not flee from the Rema ? ' 
 
 ' I did not flee from the Rema.' 
 
 1 Do you think we believe you ? ' 
 
 Olbri was silent. 
 
 ' It is for you to speak,' said Maro. * Defend 
 yourself, or be ready for your doom.' 
 
 There was breathless stillness to hear the 
 prisoner's words. Olbri saw eager faces on every 
 side of him. They wished him to be condemned, 
 they were amusing themselves with him. No one 
 would believe him. What was the use of words ? 
 
 ' I have nothing to say,' he answered, sullenly. 
 But at sight of the Iltro's smile he bit his lips. 
 ' If Estri Ascar were here — ' 
 
 ' Could he help you if he were ? ' 
 
 ' Oh,' cried Olbri, appealing suddenly and pas- 
 sionately to the young nobleman, 'you know me, 
 Estri Envar ! Do you believe me a coward ? 
 Speak ! ' 
 
 VOL. I. G
 
 98 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 It was the voice of a man pleading for his life, 
 whom the word of an Estri could declare guiltless. 
 The colour of Envar came and went. Without 
 meeting the prisoner's eyes he turned away his 
 face. After all, what did he know, and why was 
 he called upon to place himself in peril for the 
 son of the sorcerer ? 
 
 ' I know nothing in your favour,' he muttered, 
 below his breath. 
 
 And the crowd broke once more into delighted 
 cries of ' Coward ! ' ' Coward ! ' murmured also a 
 voice that no one heeded. The old man was not 
 thinking of the son of Olloto. 
 
 Olbri crossed his arms on his breast. He knew 
 now that he must collect his courage ; that there 
 was no refuge between him and his doom. An 
 erect, slight figure, he stood before the Council, 
 with the silence of one who is prepared for his 
 fate. Yet, young as he was, it was hard to repress 
 all agitation, but his crossed arms concealed the 
 beating of his heart. On every side of him were 
 the hard eyes of the multitude. He would not 
 give way before so many enemies. 
 
 And now, after the Councillors had whispered, 
 Maro rose, and turned an unfathomable gaze on 
 the prisoner — a cruel pause, prolonged with the 
 intention of straining the prisoner's courage to 
 the utmost. Olbri did not break down ; he was 
 steady, resolute, meeting the eyes of the Iltro
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 99 
 
 with an unflinching stare. But he knew that his 
 pulses were beating feverishly, and that their 
 rapidity drove the blood from his lips. After all, 
 the suspense could not endure for ever. The 
 interval of silence passed, and Maro spoke. 
 
 ' Erv Olbri, you are pronounced a traitor and a 
 coward, and you must prepare for a coward's 
 punishment.' 
 
 1 Oh, kill me at once,' muttered Olbri ; and the 
 low, hoarse voice seemed to the listening multi- 
 tudes a cry of pain. 
 
 1 We put brave men to death/ answered the Iltro, 
 with contempt. ' You are sentenced to be branded, 
 and then banished from the country. You may go 
 to the Rema. to the camps of Ursan and Alvo, 
 Your father's country is not in need of you.' 
 
 ' Ah, sorcerer ! ' cried the crowd. ' How do you 
 feel now, sorcerer ? ' 
 
 But Olbri turned to them with his usual audacity. 
 
 ' Wise countrymen,' he said, ' you have good 
 rulers who, to satisfy you, sentence men whom 
 they know — ' 
 
 1 Be silent/ interrupted Envar, his lips quivering 
 with rage. 
 
 ' Silence,' echoed the Governor, ' or you will be 
 whipped as well as branded.' 
 
 In spite of this threat, Olbri would have spoken 
 further, but a good-natured guard laid a hand upon 
 his mouth.
 
 ioo THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' The sorcerer's son is worthy of his father,' Maro 
 said. ' Your father's name will be even more dis- 
 honoured now.' 
 
 Olbri looked at him, but only muttered, — 
 
 ' You are cruel.' 
 
 The Iltro went on speaking, to the enjoyment of 
 the crowd. 
 
 ' You will be branded in the face,' he said, ' that 
 all men may know your sentence. The beauties 
 of the Alidrah will not regret you after that.' 
 
 'You would not taunt me/ muttered Olbri, beside 
 himself, ' if you had courage, if you were yourself a 
 man. And you — ' 
 
 He turned to Envar with a scorn too great for 
 words. 
 
 ' Twenty lashes for that/ said Envar, quietly. 
 
 He was surprised that the sentence came easily, 
 for he was merciful. 
 
 ' Good ones, too/ echoed the Governor, laughing 
 loudly. ' Let him be guarded till the evening, and 
 then — ' 
 
 ' And then he will be punished/ Envar said. 
 
 ' Some day, young Estri/ muttered Olbri, ' you 
 also may know what punishment is like.' 
 
 The words were heard only by Uvrode, who, on 
 being led away, had turned to lay a kind hand 
 upon the young man's arm. But Olbri saw in the 
 motion only a movement of rejection, and an old 
 remembrance increased the pang. With the words,
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 101 
 
 * I can bear it no longer,' in his heart, he turned to 
 the guards and said abruptly, — 
 
 ' Let us go.' 
 
 Through the clamouring multitude he passed 
 with a firm step. The voices of opposition gave 
 him courage. But when he found himself in an 
 empty chamber, his head became dizzy, and he 
 staggered to the wall. One of the guards turned 
 to clap him on the shoulder, and to assure him 
 that 'it would not hurt very much.' The little 
 kindness had almost overcome him, but even when 
 he was left alone he would not weep. 
 
 No, he was tired and faint, but he was also 
 angry, bitter ; and, flinging down the gold bee, he 
 crushed it with his foot, although then, in swift 
 penitence, he raised and fondled it, because ' it was 
 punished for nothing, like himself.' He must not 
 be weak . . . and, lying down upon the ground, he 
 covered his face with his hands, and tried to rest ; 
 tried in vain, for there still rose innumerable faces, 
 whilst the sounds of echoing tumult filled his ears. 
 What would become of him ? He had lost his 
 friend, his father ; all love, all memory were swept 
 away; even the father's name, which he had shielded, 
 was turned into dishonour now and shamed through 
 him. The fire which had been kindled in his heart 
 was checked for the time by the dull tide of despair. 
 Motionless, without stirring limbs or features, he 
 lay with his face hidden, waiting for the rest.
 
 VII. 
 
 The way to the stars. 
 
 The rest followed in due course. On the succeed- 
 ing evening — that is, on the first night of Estri 
 Ascar's captivity — the Nuldah, Ascar's head hunts- 
 man, lingering in the courtyard of the Escola, 
 heard a low signal, which he knew, beyond the 
 wall. Without answering, he stood still, in the 
 attitude of one who listens, who is startled, for 
 rumour had brought tidings of the son of the 
 sorcerer. 
 
 It was a hot, still night. The tower of the Escola 
 was dark ; the few stars flickered with a faint light 
 in the sky ; and round the moon was that dim, 
 lurid halo supposed by the people of the Alidrah 
 to show the ' spirits' wrath.' And yet the old man 
 had lingered in the courtyard, whispering to him- 
 self that Estri Ascar might return — Estri Ascar 
 was so strong, he might even yet come back> 
 having saved himself from the hands of his enemies. 
 
 102
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 103 
 
 In vain ! the courtyard was silent, until now, 
 through the stormy night, there came the echo of a 
 familiar sound. Once, twice, the low cry was 
 repeated ; and then, slowly, noiselessly, a figure 
 dropped over the wall, and stood within. At least 
 it was not the hand of Ascar's servant which opened 
 the door to the son of the sorcerer. 
 
 The old man stood, motionless, in the moonlight, 
 with his hand on his hunting-knife. Olbri remained, 
 motionless, against the wall. He was so still that, 
 on that weird, stormy night, the image seemed 
 more like his phantom than himself. The thought 
 crossed the huntsman's mind, but before he had 
 realised its terror, the figure before him advanced 
 some steps, then stood still. It was the son of 
 Olloto . . . and the old man experienced an 
 overwhelming sensation of mingled horror and 
 triumph. 
 
 1 Why hast thou come to us ? ' he cried out 
 sharply. 
 
 And the figure answered, — 
 
 ' Am I a stranger, then ? ' 
 
 The words were in the tone of Olbri, but his 
 attitude was not like himself, for he seemed ready 
 to sink with pain and weariness. Slowly, as if he 
 were afraid of falling, he let himself drop upon a 
 block of stone. But even in that instant he kept 
 his head erect ; and the old man, standing in front, 
 looked down on him. A keen, slow gaze as if,
 
 104 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 standing there in the moonlight, he were drinking 
 his fill of a long-delayed retribution. 
 
 1 Ah ! they have branded thee ! ' 
 
 ' They have branded me/ said Olbri. 
 
 ' And they have beaten thee ? ' 
 
 ' They have beaten me. Thank the gods.' 
 
 He turned up his face with his usual mocking 
 look ; but the next instant it was bent, shaken by 
 a storm of sobs. With a different terror the old 
 man bent over him, and by grasping his shoulders 
 saved him from falling. 
 
 1 Have they hurt thee so much then ? ' 
 
 ' No — I am a coward.' 
 
 ' I thought thou wert brave, Erv Olbri.' 
 
 ' I tell thee, I am a coward. They have given 
 me the name to wear, and I will wear it — on my 
 face, on my heart, till I return to the Alidrah.' 
 
 ' Till thou return ? ' 
 
 ' Oh, I shall return,' said Olbri. ' When I have 
 found the way to the stars, I will return.' 
 
 ' Art thou mad ? ' 
 
 1 No, old Nuldah, I have been mad all my life. 
 And now they have shown me how to reach the 
 stars. For the sake of my father, of Ascar, I have 
 been virtuous, and they have beaten and branded 
 me to teach me better. I have learned from them. 
 When I return to the Alidrah they will be com- 
 pelled to own that the stars bend to me.' 
 
 ' Thou art certainly mad.'
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 105 
 
 ' Wait and see.' His laugh was harsh. ' I shall 
 win the Fair Country for my father and myself. 
 Dost thou think I shall endure this mark upon my 
 face — I, who am my father's son, and have been 
 Estri Ascar's friend ? ' 
 
 His voice failed as it fell into gentler accents — 
 his head bent, and for a while he said no more. 
 Then, — 
 
 ' Fetch me thy Estra.' 
 
 ' What is Estri Ascar's bride to thee ? ' 
 
 ' Thou hast said the words. She is Estri Ascar's 
 bride.' 
 
 ' And what wouldst thou do with the Nira who 
 has ruined him, who should be offered to the gods 
 to save his life ? Ah ! who could deliver our Estri 
 when the Akbare were angry because he had linked 
 himself with a slave and sorcerer ? ' 
 
 1 Fetch the slave ! ' cried Olbri. ' Tell her the 
 sorcerer is waiting! Art thou deaf? Fetch thy 
 Estra. I vow by all the fiends that I have not 
 come here in vain to seek Estri Ascar's bride. I 
 am risking my life each moment that I stay. But 
 I will see Estri Ascar's bride before I go.' 
 
 The old man looked at him, and seeing that he 
 was resolute, departed slowly, muttering to himself; 
 his indistinct words mingling spells against the 
 demons with imprecations on Estri Ascar's enemies. 
 Olbri remained, unheeding ; and leaning on the 
 wall, looked down upon the wide country, dim with
 
 106 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 night, save where here and there some stream, 
 touched by the moonlight, shone like a thread of 
 silver in the gloom. The scene of a dream ! in 
 which he himself was a phantom, lingering for an 
 instant in familiar haunts . . . He turned as he 
 heard the sound of footsteps — there, standing in 
 the moonlight, was Estri Ascar's bride. 
 
 Her figure was distinct in the moonlight. She 
 was in rough slave's attire ; upon her bare feet were 
 sandals, and there were steel rings round her ankles, 
 her only other ornament being the beautiful hair 
 which fell over her shoulders, almost to her feet. 
 Seeing her thus altered, and only for the second 
 time, it might have been difficult even to re- 
 cognise her, if the expression of her troubled face 
 had not recalled the scene of the wedding-night. 
 For, changed as she was, and though her eyes were 
 dull with the look of one who has been entirely 
 stunned, her lips, still quivering with inward con- 
 flict, preserved their expression of anguish and 
 hesitation. She stood there with her head bent, in 
 slave's attitude ; and Olbri left the wall, and came 
 close to her. 
 
 ' Do you know me, Estra ? ' 
 
 She raised her eyes to him with the dread of 
 one who is surrounded by enemies, and yet with 
 something of the imploring look of one who 
 dares not lose the remotest chance of help. Even 
 from the midst of his own misery, Olbri could
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 107 
 
 feel the loneliness of her position. His tone was 
 softened beyond its usual wont in his attempt to 
 be compassionate. 
 
 ' They have told you — I am Olbri, who was 
 Estri Ascar's friend. I have been branded. I 
 must leave the land to-night. I have come to 
 see you . . . We have only a few instants. I want 
 to offer you all the help I have . . . Indeed, you 
 may trust me. I have not been false to Ascar. 
 I would have died to save him. It is for his sake 
 I come to you.' 
 
 As she still looked at him he held out both 
 his hands ; and slowly, mechanically, she placed 
 her own in them. And then, as she felt his grasp 
 with its assurance of protection, her fixed look 
 melted into a rain of tears. Instinct warned Olbri 
 that it was best to let her weep ; he stood still, 
 holding her hands which clung to his. The scene 
 of the wedding was with him ; it seemed only in 
 a dream that he stood in the moonlight with Estri 
 Ascar's bride. 
 
 Ered cried, — 
 
 ' Help me. Tell me what to do. I am afraid 
 of them. They will kill me. I cannot help 
 myself 
 
 She looked into his face with eyes large with 
 tears and dread. 
 
 1 The Spirits are angry ; they will not speak 
 to me.'
 
 108 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 1 The Spirits ! ' echoed Olbri, with a gleam of 
 his mocking smile. 
 
 She saw it, and dropped her hands, but she 
 still looked up at him. 
 
 ' Oh, I believe in the Akbare ; I have believed 
 in them. I have broken my promises, and they 
 punish me ! ' 
 
 ' I will tell you ' — she yielded to the instinct of 
 confession. ' When I was a slave I was often left 
 alone ; and I used to lie in the long grass by the 
 stream that I might be near the Spirits of the 
 Water. And I used to promise the gods in the 
 White Heaven — the gods of the Nira — that I 
 would belong only to my country. I vowed to 
 find it — and then Estri Ascar came ; and I — I 
 was frightened ' — her words were broken by her 
 sobs. ' And then — the wedding-feast — I was 
 afraid to speak to him. ... I could not go back 
 and be a slave again. ... I longed to marry him, 
 but I felt the gods were angry, and I kept fearing 
 that I should ruin him. . . . And now they are angry, 
 I have made them angry with Ascar — and I 
 cannot help him, and his servants wish to kill 
 me. I am alone. I am frightened. Tell me 
 what I ought to do. I am afraid they will kill 
 me. I am afraid ! — ' 
 
 ( Your gods do not help you, Estra ? ' murmured 
 Olbri, speaking gently. 
 
 ' Tell me what to do.'
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 109 
 
 ' I know nothing of the gods. How are you 
 treated ? ' 
 
 She trembled. 
 
 ' They sent for me when I awoke — when they 
 first heard the news, before I heard the news — I 
 thought they would kill me, but the Nuldah drove 
 them away — and then he looked at me, and I 
 was afraid of him ! He said that it was possible 
 the gods might need a sacrifice ; he put out his 
 hand, and I feared that he would kill me ! And 
 I shrieked, and he despised me. He said I was 
 a coward and a slave. He said that the gods would 
 despise such a sacrifice ! I could have been brave 
 then, but he would not hear me ; he told them to 
 bring my slave's dress, and to guard me in my 
 room. ... I used to think I could do the will of the 
 gods when I lay in the long grass by the river's 
 side.' 
 
 ' Ah, Estra,' said Olbri, ' concern not thyself 
 with the gods. Have they helped thee ? Did 
 they come to the aid of Ascar ? I am wiser than 
 thou, for I expect no help from them. Listen, 
 Estra. This morning I was condemned, being 
 innocent; this evening I was led out before the 
 multitudes, and whilst they howled with delight 
 I was whipped with ox-sinews, and then branded 
 with a hot iron on the face. Was there one, 
 Estra, only One from the Unseen, to come forward 
 and say, " I will help the innocent ? " No ! From
 
 no THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 this time I heed neither gods nor men. But I 
 will do one thing for my honour, even if I die 
 for it.' 
 
 He paused, a peculiar expression stirred his lips. 
 He muttered, — 
 
 4 The son of the sorcerer should meet the 
 sorcerer.' 
 
 Ered looked at him timidly. He repeated 
 aloud, — 
 
 ' The son of the sorcerer should meet the 
 sorcerer.' 
 
 ' What is that ? ' she murmured. 
 
 ' Some words I said to Ascar — Estra, I have 
 only another moment with thee.' 
 
 ' Art thou going ? ' cried Ered, in sudden misery. 
 ' And then I shall have no friend in all the world.' 
 
 1 No friend but the wizard ? ' cried Olbri ; ' how 
 can I accompany thee, with this mark on my 
 face so that all men see my shame ? I am ban- 
 ished, cursed ; I dare not even look for Ascar, for 
 my help would call on him the curse of gods and 
 men. No. I must leave thee. One present I can 
 give thee, and then I must leave thee to defend 
 thyself/ 
 
 ' Yet, tell me — ' said Ered. 
 
 She came closer to him. Her eyes, fixed by 
 her thought, rested on his face. Her voice did not 
 tremble, though its tone was low. 
 
 ' If it is true ... if the gods need a sacrifice . . .
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. Ill 
 
 Oh, I could bear it from thy hands,' cried Ered. 
 ' Thou wouldst be kind, and wouldst not be glad 
 to hurt me. If it would save Ascar ... I will 
 stand still, and be brave. Even if I tremble I will 
 not cry.' 
 
 ' /, Estra ! ' cried Olbri, and recoiled in horror. 
 'If it were to save Ascar's life I could not touch 
 thee. No ! live for Ascar. And now listen for a 
 moment ; for though I cannot stay with thee, I 
 will do for thee what I can. Thou seest these 
 jewels? They are all the wealth I have. But I 
 need no wealth to accomplish my design. Take 
 them. Fasten them into thy hair, thy raiment. 
 They may ransom Ascar from his enemies. And 
 then escape. Thou art in utmost danger here, 
 from the Rema, from Ascar's servants, in danger 
 everywhere. Escape at once. Find thy way to 
 the Ekelfah ; thou wilt be safer in the desert than 
 in the Fair Country. Listen once more. Estri 
 Ascar is the prisoner of the Rema. Take the 
 jewels with thee ... I can only speak to thee for 
 a moment. . . Wear thy slave's dress. Keep thy 
 face closely veiled. And, Estra — since thou hast 
 a gentle maiden's courage — I will say to thee, 
 " Wear a dagger, for thou art beautiful ! " Ah, 
 take the jewels ! They are of no use to me. 
 It is not with jewels that I shall meet the 
 sorcerer.' 
 
 He poured the jewels into her hands ; then
 
 112 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 stood silent for a moment. ' And now, Estra, fare- 
 well. I am sorry for thee. There was once a 
 woman, as beautiful as thou art, who looked on 
 me with a woman's pity. I have never forgotten 
 her. Farewell, Estra, we must face our destinies. 
 It is not likely that we shall meet again. Pray to 
 thy gods to spare Ascar and thyself, and think 
 kindly of me . . .' 
 
 As he took her hands, Ered murmured, — 'We 
 shall meet in the Spirit-land.' 
 
 Olbri looked down into her eyes, which were 
 deep and steadfast, and in that instant of parting 
 could not mock her for her faith. He said with a 
 gentle accent, though he smiled, — 
 
 ' And then we shall say : " We came here by 
 different paths. But that need not trouble us, 
 since we have met." 
 
 He knelt down before her, and pressed his lips 
 upon her hands. . . . And then he was gone, and 
 she was alone in the courtyard. The faint stars 
 looked down on her, shining from far away. She 
 saw them, then covered her face with both her 
 hands. 
 
 Thus they met for a few short instants, friend 
 and bride, the companions of Ascar on his wed- 
 ding-night. Let us leave them for a while to the 
 darkness and the stars, and return to the Lord of 
 the Escola.
 
 VIII. 
 
 Whatever crazy sorrow saith, 
 
 No life that breathes with human breath 
 
 Has ever truly longed for death. 
 
 'Tis life, whereof our nerves are scant, 
 Oh life, not death, for which we pant ; 
 More life, and fuller, that I want. 
 
 1 They will come back,' said Ascar. 
 
 The sound of the horses' feet had died away ; 
 on all sides there was intense stillness. The quiet- 
 ness of the dawn was everywhere, over the blue, 
 distant hills, the wide, unbroken plain. In the 
 sky was the glow of the sunrise. 
 
 1 They will come back/ said Ascar. 
 
 Why did Ascar repeat this sentence ? What 
 made him certain that the Rema would return ? 
 He did not know, but he had no doubt of the fact 
 — he told himself that he would be a fool if he 
 doubted it. There was no reason for him to wish 
 for them ; he was safer from suffering when he was 
 alone. And yet an indefinite terror grasped his 
 VOL. I. H
 
 H4 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 heart, and his eyes sought for some sign of his 
 captors in the distance. There was no sign. But 
 still they would return. 
 
 As he was certain that they would return, he 
 was able to turn his mind to other thoughts. He 
 looked at the barren, plain, the distant hillsides, 
 at a silver thread of a river, observed for the first 
 time. What river was this ? Not the Tordrade, 
 certainly. And not the river of Blue Waters, 
 for— 
 
 Why should it not be the river of Blue Waters ? 
 He tried to think, but he found that he could not 
 think. He tried to interest himself in the distant 
 hills. These hills might be — To think was 
 impossible. 
 
 The Rema had not given him any food that 
 morning. He would share their provisions, no 
 doubt, when they returned. As they had departed 
 in the early morning they would be returning . . . 
 at noon . . . The next words were more distinct. 
 
 ' The Rema often leave their prisoners to starve! 
 
 For one instant his heart stood still. And then 
 every pulse began throbbing feverishly. 
 
 1 Why ' — cried the reaction — ' should they have 
 carried him so far? They zvished to take from you 
 the least chance of escape! 
 
 But why — why ? They had no reason for such 
 cruelty. After all, they were men, though they 
 had the name of fiends.
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI AS CAR. 115 
 
 * Ah, cried the mocking voice, ' dost thou not yet 
 believe in cruelty? To what purpose hast thou been 
 the prisoner of the Rema ? ' 
 
 His heart sank. Even if they intended to come 
 back, they would not hasten because he was in 
 need of food. Many things might hinder them. 
 And then, when at last they found him, he might 
 be too weak — he would not think of their return. 
 He would turn his mind away to another subject. 
 This might be the River of Blue Waters after 
 all. 
 
 No, he would not think of the River of Blue 
 Waters. Life and death were of more consequence 
 than the Blue River. 
 
 Hunger ! What a horrible, slow suffering it 
 was ! How long would it take to kill him ? He 
 was still young, strong. Oh, they meant him to 
 suffer, they enjoyed his agony. Then he would 
 not suffer. He would rise above the pain. A man 
 with a man's strength, has power to resolve. He 
 had resolved — and yet he was hungry. 
 
 Tears came into Ascar's eyes, and his exalted 
 feelings vanished. No, there was no advantage 
 to be gained from unreal heights. He would 
 take other ground. How many good men 
 had suffered, and had suffered pain that was 
 far worse than this. A day or two of pain 
 should be nothing to a man ; or, at any rate, 
 a great experience. He would try to feel
 
 n6 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 gratitude for this new lesson — and then came 
 the cry of the heart, — ' If I could live! 
 
 He felt stronger. The wish had relieved him. 
 He would make an effort to be brave. The 
 sun was rising, it would soon be mid-day. And 
 then, with a start, he remembered unexpectedly 
 that one of the Rema had spoken of ' mid-day/ 
 It was all explained ! They intended to return 
 at noon. He had been a fool, overpowered 
 by needless terror. Certainly they had not 
 spoken of returning ; but then — ' I will not doubt, 
 because doubt is agony.' At any rate, there 
 could be no possible harm in waiting quietly 
 until noon had come. 
 
 Somewhat relieved, Ascar looked out on the 
 
 morning, as lovely a morning as could speak 
 
 peace to the heart of man ; for although a 
 
 long, barren plain stretched in front of him, it 
 
 was not desolate beneath the deep blue of the 
 
 sky. In the distance, some clouds dyed the ground 
 
 with purple shadows ; still further, the outlines of 
 
 hills were bathed in light ; and, searching to 
 
 discover objects in that light, he imagined he 
 
 could discern shining mountain peaks. Everything 
 
 was as beautiful in colour, and as peaceful, as 
 
 if this were not a world in which men died 
 
 miserably, as if there were no eyes willing to 
 
 close to all the beauty, if only death would come 
 
 to release them from suffering.
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI A SCAR. 117 
 
 1 Ered believes in the Akbare,' thought Ascar, 
 lingering on the words as if they were a caress — 
 ' but then, why do not the gods in the White Heaven 
 send them to help us when we are in need of 
 help ? ' Perhaps the gods did send them. Ascar 
 did not know. He knew that his bonds were 
 strong, there came no release from them. 
 
 So he waited through a weary morning, and 
 his hunger became sharp, although he absorbed 
 himself in many tasks, counting the clouds, 
 imagining trees upon the hills, following the 
 course of the river with his eyes. No effort could 
 make him forget that he was hungry, but these 
 tasks could occupy the surface of his mind. As 
 the sun rose, however, all else was overwhelmed in 
 the torture that can be caused by heat and light. 
 
 What could he do ? He could not stir from 
 the rock, could not even put up his hands to 
 shield his face; the rock burned behind him, 
 his eyelids appeared burned ; he was bathed in 
 torture, scorched in seas of fire. And then, as the 
 blinding glare lessened with the motion of the 
 sun, whilst still faint, giddy, and overwhelmed 
 with heat, he was roused to consciousness by 
 the agony of thirst which made the torture of 
 hunger seem as nothing. 
 
 ' Oh, cried Ascar, ' in future, whatever suffering I 
 have, I will think it nothing if I have only water 
 to drink ! '
 
 n8 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 Oh ! it was cruel ! Why must he see the river, 
 the silver gleam of a river, not very far away ; why 
 must he think perpetually of the stream below the 
 Escola where he and Olbri had bathed in summer 
 days ? He could see the flecks of light falling 
 through the branches, could feel the water — the 
 cold water — close to him, at his lips, in his burning 
 throat. . . . He tore desperately at his chains. In 
 vain ! there was no help in the solitude . . . the 
 noon had already come ; he was alone. But there is 
 no need to repeat in every detail the endless history 
 of a day of agony. 
 
 The sun sank at last. Ascar watched it with 
 sad eyes. He had been weeping, but he was calm 
 now, though very tired. It seemed to him that he 
 looked into endless space, the Silence of the gods 
 which must even now be close. His life rose be- 
 fore him as if it were a phantom — Ered, Olbri, rose 
 with it, but they were phantoms too — and still 
 the sun sank in waves of gold and crimson, like 
 some great monarch who will not abate one jot of 
 his splendour because his subjects are starving. 
 He wished to pray, but he could not form sentences 
 . . . his head was faint, there were strange shadows 
 on the plain. . . . What was this ? The tower of 
 the Escola was burning ; dark figures dragged 
 away Ered ... he could not move. . . . With a 
 start he awoke. Stars were shining in the sky ; 
 the whole great plain was lost in a depth of night.
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI AS CAR. 119 
 
 He tried to remember what had happened ; but he 
 was too weak ... he fell back to unconsciousness. 
 
 Voices were near him. He was lying on the 
 ground, supported by a strong arm, leaning on a 
 shoulder. He tried to raise his head, but he was 
 too weak to stir. A voice spoke distinctly : 
 
 1 You see he is alive.' 
 
 1 What if he is ? ' 
 
 'If he is,' cried the voice (the words came from 
 the man who was supporting Ascar). ' If he is 
 alive he is my prisoner, he belongs to me ! I 
 found him, and I will take care of him. Here ! 
 Here ! ' 
 
 With each word some cordial touched Ascar's 
 lips. For a moment he raised his head, and then 
 his eyes closed again. 
 
 ' But you must not sleep/ exclaimed his possessor, 
 shaking him. ' It is time to wake. The sun is ris- 
 ing. Drink.' 
 
 Remembering his thirst, Ascar drank long and 
 eagerly. The draught was bitter, but it seemed to 
 be a stimulant. Suddenly he started. Where was 
 the rock, where were his bonds ? He would have 
 fallen, but a hand caught him back again. 
 
 ' Lay your head on my shoulder/ the voice said 
 to him. ' Rest.' 
 
 The tone had the unmistakable accent of a 
 friend. Stranger still, although Ascar was almost
 
 120 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 too weak to wonder, it spoke in the language of 
 the Alidrah. But now the other voice uttered 
 sterner words, though also in some dialect of the 
 Fair Country. 
 
 1 Thou art a fool, Ivlon,' said the other voice. 
 1 What canst thou do with him now thou hast 
 released him ? Dost thou think that we. shall be 
 able to take him with us over all the way between 
 us and Alvo's camp ? ' 
 
 Alvo ! With a start Ascar realised that if he 
 had been released he was still a prisoner. The 
 name of the master-fiend recalled his senses. With 
 a stronger effort he raised his head once more. 
 
 ' Ah ! we will take him to the Leader,' Ivlon 
 cried. 'The Estri will understand what to do 
 with him. See ! he is awake, he moves, he is alive. 
 Lean against the rock if thou wilt, man, and look 
 at us.' 
 
 Ascar did look. Faint, exhausted as he was, 
 he began to experience some return of conscious- 
 ness. 
 
 The day had dawned. By its pale light he was 
 aware that he was seated on the ground, beneath 
 the rock, and that two men were in front of him, 
 looking at him curiously, their figures framed 
 by the vast extent of plain and sky. One of 
 these men was older than the other, not tall, but 
 with almost a giant's breadth and strength ; the 
 other was young, with blue eyes, tangled curls,
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 121 
 
 and a frame slim with youth, but active and 
 sinewy. Roughly armed were these men, but each 
 had sword and shield, and a rude cap of steel upon 
 his head ; each, too, had golden rings on wrists 
 and ankles, a wallet on his shoulder, and a long 
 knife in his belt. Who were these soldiers, and 
 by what design or chance had they delivered him, 
 and made him their prisoner ? On their part they 
 also seemed to be considering, as they stood before 
 him, looking down on him. 
 
 'Your name,' demanded the elder, in a cold, 
 impassive voice. 
 
 Ascar hesitated for an instant, then answered 
 quietly. 
 
 ' Of what country art thou ? ' 
 
 ' I come from the Alidrah.' 
 
 1 How art thou here ? ' 
 
 1 J am a prisoner of the Rema.' 
 
 ' There is no need to tell us/ Ivlon cried. ' No 
 soldiers but the Rema let their prisoners starve.' 
 
 The other checked him by a movement of his 
 hand. 
 
 ' How long hast thou been bound here ? ' 
 
 ' Since yestermorn.' 
 
 Ivlon interrupted. 
 
 1 He is a deserted prisoner. He belongs to us, 
 Uldic, and we will take care of him.' 
 
 ' Thou art always a fool. He is Maravel Ursan's 
 prisoner.'
 
 122 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' What does that matter ? Maravel Alvo shall 
 decide.' 
 
 ' It is even possible that he is an Estri. If he 
 is an Estri we must leave him to his fate.' 
 
 ' Art thou an Estri ? ' Ivlon asked of Ascar, 
 looking down on him with eyes blue as the sky. 
 
 The nobleman hesitated, then assented by a sign. 
 
 Ivlon shook with laughter. ' He tells the truth.' 
 
 ' But Uldic, I tell thee this business is not a jest. 
 No leader may meddle with another's prisoner. 
 Come on one side.' 
 
 And they conferred together; whilst Ascar, with 
 a proud instinct, turned his face away. His life 
 depended on the decision of these men, of whom 
 one was a boy — was younger than himself . . . 
 but then, life was a weary matter, and if they 
 saved him from the rock, a short death. . . . The 
 men came close to him again. 
 
 1 Burden yourself with him,' Uldic said to his 
 companion. ' But if the Rema ask for him you 
 must give him up.' Observing the sauciness of 
 his companion's face, he added, ' If you will not 
 yield, the man must die.' v 
 
 1 I am not strong enough to fight thee ! ' Ivlon 
 cried. Then, touching Ascar s shoulder, ' You are 
 my prisoner, Estri.' An involuntary expression 
 crossed the face of the nobleman. ' Better than 
 starvation,' said Ivlon, drawing in his lips. 
 
 ' Give me your knife, Uldic, that I may cut the
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 123 
 
 cords at his ankles. They are tight ! The Rema 
 are always kind to prisoners. And now, Estri, 
 lean on me, and eat and drink. Not too much. 
 Just enough to keep life in thee.' 
 
 'Thou wilt gain nothing by all this trouble,' 
 Uldic said, whilst his companion fed Ascar as if 
 he had been a child. ' Since he is an Estri we 
 must take him to the Leader. And the Leader 
 will not keep Ursan's prisoner.' 
 
 His tone was expressive, but Ascar pretended 
 not to hear, whilst Ivlon touched his arm in 
 assurance of protection. The nobleman felt the 
 touch, but took no notice, for he had not yet 
 decided how he ought to treat his owners. These 
 soldiers of Alvo were his country's enemies — he 
 must not seek favours from those his land had 
 cursed — 
 
 ' We must start,' said Uldic. ' The day will soon 
 be hot' 
 
 ' My prisoner is tired. Go on. We will follow 
 thee.' 
 
 ' If thou wilt stay, I shall lie down by the rock 
 and sleep.' 
 
 Uldic made the announcement with deep-toned 
 dignity. He lay down forthwith in the shadow of 
 the rock, and Ivlon stirred him impudently with 
 his foot to show Ascar that he slept. 
 
 ' Keep near him, Estri. I will sit and watch the 
 sun.'
 
 I2 4 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 His eyes rested kindly upon his prisoner ; but 
 Ascar turned his head with conflicting feelings, 
 and, leaning against the rock, closed his eyes, and 
 feigned to sleep. He did not need to feign long, 
 being faint, bewildered, scarcely able to realise 
 that he had returned to life. Visions floated round 
 him as he tried to thank the Akbare, but they were 
 formless as phantoms in darkness — and he slept
 
 IX. 
 
 . . . That turneth the shadow of death into the 
 morning, and maketh the day dark with night. 
 
 The sun was high when he awoke. A heavy 
 sleep had revived him ; and, although he was still 
 tired, and stiff with fatigue and pain, he had 
 such a sensation of relief from intolerable oppres- 
 sion as he had never known since he had bean 
 the prisoner of the Rema. The Rema were gone ; 
 he was no longer fettered to the rock, his bond- 
 age was renewed under more favourable condi- 
 tions — he felt as if he were once more the Ascar 
 of old days who had entered the dark wood on 
 his wedding-night. Eagerly he covered his face 
 that he might thank the Akbare ; and, addressing 
 himself to the Spirits of the sun and the winds, 
 he promised them that he would lead a better 
 life, so that he might face the silence more courage- 
 ously next time. What said the wise men ? 
 ' Give the poor of thy harvests ; and speak not 
 as a friend with those thy land has cursed.' The 
 
 125
 
 126 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 first of these virtues was out of his power at 
 present ; but the last — 
 
 Turning his head, he saw that Ivlon was seated 
 on the ground, his knees clasped, his tangled 
 curls gleaming in the sunlight ; and quick instincts 
 stirred him in favour of the bright-faced lad who 
 had treated him with so much generosity. But 
 then — why were the gods angry with himself, and 
 with his country? Was it not because of his 
 friendship, of his love ? Should he now draw 
 fresh vengeance upon Ered, upon Olbri, by ill- 
 omened attraction to one of Alvo's men? With 
 natural gratitude, instinctive leanings, struggled 
 the new thoughts captivity had roused. Some 
 notion of duty had indeed awaked within him, 
 as yet strangely tangled, but still a reality. 
 
 Ivlon, for his part, looked towards his prisoner 
 as if more than ready for a bright conversation ; 
 but, observing that the nobleman did not return 
 his glances, turned his head away, whilst his face 
 took graver lines. Yet when Uldic, awaking, 
 slowly stirred himself, he sprang up as quickly 
 as if he had been a child, and occupied himself 
 in preparations for a meal with what seemed 
 habitual lightheartedness. It was ordy when he 
 had spread his own portion on the ground that 
 he looked again towards the nobleman. 
 
 1 Come and eat, Estri,' he said, in formal tones. 
 
 Without replying, Ascar rose and came to him.
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 127 
 
 They sat together. Ivlon divided in two parts 
 his simple portion of black bread and vegetables ; 
 and, yielding to his companion that which ap- 
 peared the most attractive, occupied himself with 
 the disposal of his own. Not a word said either, 
 but, young creatures as they were, their meal 
 disappeared without the aid of conversation ; and 
 it was only when its conclusion compelled directer 
 intercourse that the feeling of constraint became 
 again intolerable. For Ivlon asked his companion 
 if he were satisfied ; and Ascar, for answer, made 
 a sign of assent. 
 
 1 The Estri is too proud to speak to thee,' said 
 Uldic. 
 
 Ivlon gave an impatient movement with his 
 shoulders, and then laughed. 
 
 Ascar was stung ; and, as Uldic turned away, 
 he made an earnest attempt to explain himself. 
 
 1 Indeed, I am grateful,' he began ; but the 
 young soldier interrupted. 
 
 ' You would be grateful, Estri, if I were not one 
 of Alvo's men. Keep your gratitude for your own 
 countrymen.' 
 
 Ascar watched him uneasily as he moved to Uldic, 
 but by degrees became lost in reflections of his 
 own. Strange reflections ! stirring in the shadow 
 of the rock, whilst the great plain stretched before 
 him beneath the sky. 
 
 Where was Ered ? where Olbri ? — for since he
 
 128 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 had been the captive of the Rema he had been 
 allowed little leisure in which even to think of 
 them. When should he return his friend's familiar 
 greeting, or take up once more the broken wedding- 
 night ? He could not imagine them in pain or 
 danger, perhaps he could not have borne such 
 agony ; he rather thought of them as waiting far 
 away, whilst he lay and looked at the sunlight on 
 the plain. Ered ! with her eyes full of solitary 
 fancies, her dreams of communion with gods and 
 spirits ! — when should he take his dreamer in his 
 arms, and kiss her from visions into womanhood ? 
 Olbri scarcely believed in the gods . . . but his re-- 
 membrance of his bride brought always with it a 
 link with the Unseen. And yet it was not only of 
 the Unseen he thought as he lay and dreamed 
 of a marriage-festival. 
 
 He might have been occupied with more serious 
 meditation after a day in the valley of the 
 shadows ; but, once delivered from the rock and 
 from the Rema, his released thoughts sprang back 
 to old desires. To do him justice, in the back- 
 ground of his heart another feeling was also 
 powerful. 
 
 ' I have seen the face of the Silence,' Ascar 
 thought. ' Next time we meet it will be familiar.' 
 
 He lay and pondered ; and, at a little distance, 
 Ivlon and Uldic were busy with their plans, un- 
 conscious that, hidden in a rocky cleft, there
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI A SCAR. 129 
 
 looked down on them an unthought-of auditor. 
 For there lay a little Rema, a small, dark, grinning 
 creature, his ears quivering with a true spy's eager- 
 ness, his lips parted as if with utmost delight he 
 were drinking in all the two companions said. 
 Satisfied at last, he stretched himself a little — for 
 he had been concealed in the cleft a day and 
 night — snapped his fingers noiselessly to signify 
 contempt, and stirred with a quick, noiseless 
 motion from his place. Keeping the rock between 
 himself and the three men, he clambered lightly 
 down the other side of it ; and with one or two 
 backward glances to be sure that it concealed 
 him, ran with swift, bare feet across the plain. 
 Let us follow in the track of this ominous cir- 
 cumstance and learn the meaning of the espial, 
 while the three companions remain beneath the 
 rock, unconscious that danger may be near them. 
 Alas ! even when the shadow of death has been 
 turned into the morning, it is still possible for the 
 day to become dark with night. 
 
 Danger was near. To the north, not far away, 
 the plain was broken by a hollow and a tree ; and 
 there, somewhat sheltered from the intense glare 
 of the sun, was gathered the band of Rema. Iscar 
 was there, leaning against the tree ; and Corlon, 
 and Corlon's men, squatted on the ground ; and a 
 few horses, tethered to some stakes ; and the spy, 
 relating his story. His words were received with 
 VOL. 1. I
 
 130 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 breathless interest, but also, it seemed, with some 
 perplexity. 
 
 ' The men are waiting for the Efifar,' said the 
 spy. 
 
 ' The Effar have departed,' answered Corlon, 
 grinning. 
 
 1 To the north,' added Iscar, and then all were 
 silent, and the spy squatted on the ground amongst 
 the rest. 
 
 They all appeared to be pondering ; even Iscar, 
 whose face alone preserved its impassiveness. As 
 he leaned against the tree he was a conspicuous 
 figure, and it may not be out of place to speak of 
 him. For he was one of the most distinguished 
 leaders who belonged to the camp of the old 
 Maravel. 
 
 Iscar was young, but had been a soldier all his 
 life. Although a Rema, he was tall, slender, 
 supple, with regular features, an expression curi- 
 ously impassive, and a figure which promised 
 much agility. He had the reputation, singular in 
 Ursan's camp, of being cold, without ambition, 
 even indifferent to plunder ; and this in spite of 
 the favour openly shown to him by Ursan, who 
 always valued a leader of intelligence. And yet 
 there were such stories told of Iscar's youth, tales 
 of wild courage and generosity, as could not be 
 whispered of any other leader, with the exception 
 of Alvo, who was beyond all competition. No
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 131 
 
 doubt it was the success of that brilliant rival 
 which inspired the Rema leader to a different 
 career ; and, indeed, his unvarying austerity con- 
 trasted with the caprices of Ursan's favourite. 
 Severe, pitiless, haughty even to his master, Iscar 
 was not popular amongst the leaders, though his 
 attention to every form of duty met continual 
 recompense from the old Maravel. Ursan, who 
 passed a keen judgment on his leaders, had whis- 
 pered these words to Rudol, his confidant, — 
 
 ' Iscar is clever, and as hard as iron, but he will 
 never govern men as Alvo does.' 
 
 Few envied Iscar ; the jealousy of Rema leaders 
 had long been directed to another favourite. 
 
 And now — that favourite was in the minds of 
 all as the little band lay in the hollow, beneath 
 the tree ; for the thought of the young leader 
 could not be far away from those who had just 
 heard news of ' Alvo's men.' It is possible, there- 
 fore, that the words they spoke may serve as some 
 clue to events already shadowed — linking the 
 story of our captive Estri to that of the enemy 
 most feared by the Alidrah. For a while there 
 was silence, as if no one dared to speak ; but at 
 length Corlon could restrain himself no longer. 
 
 1 Ar-r,' muttered Corlon, ' I wish it were their 
 master.' 
 
 From his erect position Iscar looked down 
 quietly.
 
 132 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 'You have reason for the wish,' he said, with a 
 tone quiet as his face, ' since Alvo always strikes 
 at the leader.' 
 
 Corlon started angrily, and with an impatient 
 movement almost drew the long knife which he 
 carried in his belt. 
 
 1 Alvo ! ' he cried, * he is surrounded by his 
 Exiles, who would die rather than let his finger 
 ache ! If he were alone— But Iscar cares for 
 Alvo, although Alvo takes Iscar's place in the 
 Leopard's camp. Iscar loves Alvo so much — ' 
 
 ' So much,' echoed Iscar, quietly, ( that if I were 
 aiming at his heart my hand would not tremble. 
 But he saved my life.' 
 
 From his manner of utterance he appeared to be 
 making a confession on which he had previously 
 determined. 
 
 Corlon looked up in amazement, and an expre- 
 sion of spiteful triumph began to gather in his 
 narrow Rema eyes. 
 
 ' Ah ! ah ! ' he cried, ' I think I know the tale. 
 Iscar was in danger, and cried out to the young 
 leader — ' 
 
 Iscar interrupted him, still speaking quietly, but 
 with the tone of one who has made up his mind to 
 speak. The men who lay in the shadow of the 
 branches looked up towards him with unusual 
 interest. 
 
 ' A likely tale ! ' he said. ' Iscar does not call
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 133 
 
 for help from Alvo. But he gave it, unasked — and 
 till I have paid him wound for wound — Listen ! 
 you may hear the story once for all. You had 
 better listen, for I shall not speak of it again.' 
 
 He paused, for a slight wind had stirred amongst 
 the leaves, and on that hot day a breeze was of 
 consequence. When he went on speaking, how- 
 ever, it was in the same pausing manner, as if he 
 were almost indifferent to his words. But the 
 Rema were listening with too much interest to be 
 affected by his impassiveness. 
 
 1 We were returning from an expedition against 
 the Nira,' Iscar said — ' and Corlon was with us, 
 although he has forgotten — and Alvo, Rudol were 
 there — and the Nira came on us suddenly, attack- 
 ing us before we could gain the camp. I had hurt 
 my foot, and could not keep up with the rest, and 
 there was not a Rema who chose to stay with me 
 — Rudol was anxious to be with his Maravel — and 
 Corlon was far in front — seeking glory — ' 
 
 Corlon started, and uttered a sudden curse ; 
 but Iscar only waited till his companion was 
 silent. His cold voice suited ill with his narrative, 
 but it might have concealed more feeling than it 
 showed. 
 
 ' Alvo was with us — he was as mad as usual, 
 and had chosen to wear no armour, and no weapon 
 but his sword. But he came to me when he saw 
 I was left alone, and fought, as Alvo fights.'
 
 134 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 1 Ar-r,' cried Corlon, sinking down, ' he can turn 
 those thin wrists so that none can see them move. 
 May all the wood-devils curse his insolence ! He 
 knows the trick of it. I wish I did too ! ' 
 
 Iscar continued, without heeding him, — 
 
 ' Ursan must have been anxious — lest his fav- 
 ourite should be killed. He sent men to our relief, 
 and they came to us — when I was struck to my 
 knees, and Alvo's eyes were full of blood.' 
 
 Again Corlon interrupted, — 
 
 'Then it was upon that day the young leader 
 gained the scar which spoiled his woman's beauty ! ' 
 
 And again Iscar continued, as if he had not 
 heard, — 
 
 1 Ursan came to see his son's wounds — he was 
 not interested in mine ! ' 
 
 ' Ursan is fond of his son,' Corlon said in ex- 
 planation, for Iscar's impassive voice had at last 
 shown some emotion. ' And it is a rare sight to 
 see Alvo when his wounds are being dressed ! I 
 have heard him cry out, though he almost died of 
 shame. That is your brave man ! ' 
 
 ' He is brave/ said Iscar, quietly. ' I hate him, 
 but no man shall speak ill of him to me. He took 
 my hands the next day before the camp ; he knew 
 I could not draw back, and I hated him the more. 
 But he has been wounded for me, and I must pay 
 him wound for wound. When I have paid him — ' 
 he paused — ' I will speak with him.'
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 135 
 
 ' Ha ! ha ! ' laughed Corlon. ' We all hate the 
 young leader.' He lay on his back, looking through 
 the leaves to the blue sky. ' Is it not so, Nardi ? ' 
 
 ' Truly,' answered the spy, with emphasis. 
 
 ' And why dost thou hate him ? ' 
 
 1 Because he is one of Ursan's leaders.' 
 
 Corlon wriggled. 
 
 I And thou — dost thou hate the young leader, 
 Lipsus ? ' 
 
 Lipsus was a Rema who had joined the band 
 that day. He raised to his leader a shrewd, simple 
 face, resting on a mighty hatchet, which he clasped 
 with both his arms. 
 
 I I have never seen him.' 
 
 4 Wouldst thou be afraid to strike him ? ' 
 
 1 1 would follow the Maravel,' said Lipsus, with 
 an innocent expression. 
 
 Some of the men laughed, and Corlon frowned 
 angrily. Again there was silence, whilst a hot 
 wind stirred the leaves. 
 
 1 The young leader has a pretty face,' Nardi 
 muttered with disdain. 
 
 1 He is brave, notwithstanding,' cried Corlon, 
 who never held to his own statements. ' And he 
 can talk any language as if it were his own. But 
 he belongs to the Alidrah, and shall be cursed by 
 all of us.' 
 
 1 Except Maravel Ursan,' Nardi muttered, spite- 
 fully.
 
 136 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' Except Ursan,' echoed Iscar, with a quiet 
 intonation. 
 
 1 And these are his men,' said Nardi. 
 
 The words were received in silence. Possibly 
 they suggested fancies which could not be easily 
 expressed. The heat of the day had come, and 
 the men lay down and slept, pressed together in 
 little space beneath the branches of the tree. 
 
 Meanwhile (to return to our captive nobleman) 
 Estri Ascar and his guardian had spent a pleasant 
 morning, for it had been decided that Uldic 
 should search for the missing Effar, whilst Ivlon 
 kept watch over the prisoner. The young men 
 were not displeased with this arrangement ; for, 
 although their intercourse was constrained, their 
 youth drew them to each other, and in the absence 
 of Uldic they could act with greater freedom. 
 With few words, they went down together to the 
 river ; and bathed, and then rested together on 
 the bank, looking at each other now and then with 
 laughing eyes, and then turning their faces away 
 more solemnly. The day was glorious, the sun 
 blazed in the sky, the great plain appeared to be 
 one flood of light — and Ascar could not but 
 remember the delirium, the thirst, the agony of 
 death through which he had passed yesterday. 
 Was he indeed delivered from the Silence, and 
 what would be the lot of his recovered life ? Ah !
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI A SCAR. 137 
 
 was not the Fair Country somewhere in the dis- 
 tance . . . where friend and bride waited for him ? 
 
 In the greatest heat of the day they left the 
 river, returned to the rock, and lay down in its 
 shade — Ivlon rubbing his eyes to keep himself 
 awake, and Ascar lying with closed eyes, but not 
 asleep. He had been supplied with garments from 
 the store of his young guardian, for his own were 
 ragged, and in some places stiff with blood ; and 
 the delicious comfort occasioned by the change 
 was only embittered by the difficulty of gratitude. 
 For whenever he opened his lips the young soldier 
 turned away his head — proving in this manner 
 that he had his share of pride. No matter ! it 
 was certain at any rate that he was kind — and 
 Ascar lay in the shadow, and left perplexities 
 alone. It was pleasant to lie still, and dream . . . 
 and sleep sometimes . . . beneath the great rock 
 which had been the rock of agony. 
 
 * There is Uldic,' cried Ivlon, starting up to 
 meet his comrade, and then looking down on the 
 nobleman with a ludicrous expression ; for the 
 instinct which prompted him to rush to his com- 
 panion was being restrained by his sense of 
 guardianship. Mindful of new dignity, he kept 
 his post, whilst Uldic came with slow steps across 
 the plain — so slowly that his walk had an 
 expression of ill-humour, which, as soon as he 
 reached them, became evident in words.
 
 138 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' This is your fault, Walna.' 
 
 ' Everything always is my fault.' 
 
 * This is your fault,' Uldic repeated steadily. 
 
 It appeared that the EfTar could not be found, 
 or the horses they had promised, and that it was 
 not possible to wait for them any longer. 
 
 Uldic ascribed this difficulty to the delay 
 which had been occasioned by the release of the 
 prisoner. 
 
 ' We should not be here at all if it had not been 
 for thy folly.' 
 
 By this and similar reproaches, A scar learned 
 that the soldiers had been forbidden to venture 
 near the Rema, but that the younger had attempted 
 an excursion by himself. It seemed that Uldic 
 had some reason for the displeasure which he 
 expressed in few words, but severely. 
 
 1 1 will tell Estri Alvo.' 
 
 1 And he will be angry,' Ivlon cried, with an 
 imperfect attempt to seemed alarmed. He added, 
 throwing up his hands with a childish gesture. 
 'Ah! how many times I have been summoned to 
 his tent! He is always so good to me, our little 
 Estri! I must begin to be better.' 
 
 1 Thou art always beginning,' Uldic said. And 
 Ivlon : — 
 
 * When I see Estri Alvo next I will begin.' 
 With that they began their journey across the 
 
 plain, the journey that was to take them to the
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 139 
 
 young leader's camp. Ascar looked back once at 
 the rock as they moved away. 
 
 Was danger nearer? The hollow which had a 
 tree was no longer crowded with the forms of Rema 
 soldiers ; one only was left, seated upon the roots, 
 with his chin on the enormous hatchet which he 
 clasped in both his arms. Deserted by the rest, 
 and forbidden to leave his post, Lipsus was fulfil- 
 ing the duty of sentinel, a hated office, which he 
 owed on this occasion to his suggestive answer 
 to Maravel Corlon's question. He sat there, 
 desolate, like a carved wood-demon, hugging his 
 beloved hatchet as if that could give him con- 
 solation. A sudden footstep ! he started to his 
 feet, and became aware of the approach of Maravel 
 Iscar. 
 
 'Go after the others, Lipsus.' 
 
 'Maravel, I am a sentinel.' 
 
 ' Do not answer me, fool. Go after the others. I 
 will remain here, and join the next band of Rema. 
 Hast thou no ears, fool ? Go after Corlon's men.' 
 
 For one instant Lipsus lingered, looking doubt- 
 ful, but the command of Maravel Iscar was not to 
 be disputed; and, moreover, it dawned triumphantly 
 upon him that his hatchet and himself would now 
 be in the fight. He threw up his arms with a shrill 
 cry of delight, and then fled away with the utmost 
 rapidity ; whilst Iscar, quietly assuming his posi- 
 tion, looked out in his turn over the wide extent
 
 140 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 of plain. Had he not done well ? there was not 
 another leader who would have taken the office of 
 sentinel. Seated beneath the tree, with a face 
 watchful and intent, although not a feature moved, 
 he looked out across the plain. 
 
 What was to happen to these men, Alvo's men ? 
 What could be the meaning of the old Maravel 
 — of this device which, take what course it would, 
 could hardly be fulfilled without some expenditure 
 of blood ? He would not be present to see Alvo's 
 men ill-treated, although he did not love the men 
 better than their master — his bond held him, for he 
 was resolutely determined that he would do his 
 duty to his gratitude. So pondered Iscar, seated 
 beneath the tree and looking out upon the sunlit 
 plain. He gave himself credit for his resolution, 
 for it is not always an easy duty — gratitude. 
 
 Was the captive Estri grateful ? — himself reclin- 
 ing at that instant with his two companions beneath 
 the shelter of a tree, one of the rare trees which 
 could be found here and there, to the relief of 
 travellers over the Ekelfah. His strength had 
 given way during the long, weary march, and 
 Ivlon had insisted that he himself was tired, so 
 they had all lain down beneath the shelter of the 
 branches to allow themselves a few moments' rest 
 or sleep. They had travelled far. The Essil was 
 lost in the distance, but the great plain still lay
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI AS CAR. 141 
 
 around them on every side, flooded with sunlight 
 although the sun was sinking, and apparently 
 empty of all travellers but themselves. Ivlon lay 
 on his face, with his head resting on his hands, and 
 the sun shining through his tangled curls. And 
 Ascar, looking out over the great plain, found his 
 survey arrested by the sight — and by bitterness. 
 
 Was it not natural ? He was tired, exhausted, 
 bent with the weight of unspeakable depression ; a 
 captive before whom hung a doubtful fate, who 
 was, perhaps, being dragged over the weary plain 
 to die. And, meanwhile, this lad — this boy, 
 younger than himself — the spoiled, wilful fav- 
 ourite, as it seemed, of a camp and a camp's 
 master, was bright with hope, with health, with 
 the power of bestowing favours, was without know- 
 ledge of the trials of prisoners. If he had been 
 torn from his country and his home, not even per- 
 mitted to complete his wedding-night, why, then, 
 even he> so ready to be kind, might find it difficult 
 to be generous. Ascar would be grateful ; he in- 
 tended to be grateful, at the first opportunity he 
 would repay all benefits, but, meanwhile, an Estri of 
 the Alidrah must not speak freely with one of Alvo's 
 men. It was at this instant that Ivlon turned on 
 his side, and, raising his sword to his lips, pressed 
 kisses on it. The action was childish, and Ascar, 
 who observed it, did not find it difficult to be 
 contemptuous.
 
 142 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 1 The Estri scorns thee,' said Uldic, quietly ; and 
 
 then, as Ivlon started with rage, he slowly added ; 
 
 The Estri had no love for his own sword ? No 
 
 doubt it is in the hands of the Rema since he was 
 
 their prisoner/ 
 
 Ascar turned pale, and bent his glance on the 
 ground. The insult had wounded him too deeply 
 for reply. Ivlon drew closer, his momentary anger 
 checked by vexation deeper than his own. 
 
 ' You think me a fool, Estri, because I kiss my 
 sword ? Well, you are right, but then you do not 
 know. This is Alvo's sword. He has worn it. I 
 will tell you — ' 
 
 He seemed anxious that the prisoner should 
 recover his composure. At the same time it was 
 impossible not to hear the love and pride which 
 rose with his voice when he pronounced his 
 master's name. To Ascar that name was still 
 almost fabulous, and he listened with strange 
 thrills of bewilderment. 
 
 ' I will tell you,' Ivlon repeated. ' A band of 
 Effar went out to plunder. I asked to be sent 
 with them, and they were angry; and when we 
 came back at night they refused me any spoil. 
 They said I was not of their band, although I had 
 fought with them. But Alvo came out to give 
 away the spoil, and he was wearing for the first 
 time his beautiful, new sword. And he would take 
 no notice how the plunder was divided, but kept
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 143 
 
 on giving it till there was nothing left. And then, 
 when my turn came and there was no share left 
 for me, he took his sword out of its sheath and 
 gave it to me. Alvo's sword ! ' cried Ivlon, press- 
 ing the hilt against his breast. 
 
 And Ascar thought, — 
 
 ' The wizard knows how to win the hearts of 
 men.' 
 
 1 Look, Estri ! ' cried Ivlon, with still greater 
 friendliness. ' Here is the inscription, " Akbare, 
 help me and my sword ; " and here is the leader's 
 name, " Alvo ; " and mine, " Walna of the Ivloni." 
 Alvo says the good spirits will not help us if the 
 sword is ever lost' 
 
 * What good spirits are these ? ' thought the 
 nobleman, who was not an exile. ' Not the 
 Akbare of the Fair Country.' 
 
 (So much remained of an Estri's education to 
 the friend of a sorcerer and husband of a slave.) 
 
 ' We must start,' said Uldic, heaving up his great 
 frame slowly. 
 
 They all rose with lingering movements and mur- 
 murs of regret ; for the shade had been pleasant, 
 the sight of the green leaves, the interval of rest in 
 the hot, weary march. Their rest was over, per- 
 chance more completely passed than any member 
 of the little band imagined. As they turned their 
 faces once more towards the plain there lay before 
 them — a new experience.
 
 144 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 The sun was sinking when at last they reached 
 some hills. They had travelled far, but they were 
 all in cheerful spirits, even Ascar, on whose account 
 the march was slow, for he was stronger now the 
 heat of the day was over. They had entered a 
 dark pass which shut out the glowing sky, and his 
 thoughts, dreamy from fatigue, were with his bride, 
 when, suddenly, his heart beat in long, heavy 
 throbs, and he stood still, overcome by agony. 
 Before him there was a band of dark-faced Rema, 
 like the men who had left him at sunrise the day 
 before. Ascar placed his hand on his eyes. For 
 one instant he imagined that this was a dream and 
 would pass away. 
 
 But his companions saw also. 
 
 ' There are some Rema/ Ivlon cried, with the 
 pleased surprise of one ready for company. 
 
 Uldic looked grave. His eyes were on the band, 
 and he understood the meaning of their attitude. 
 All were still. On each side the hills rose like 
 precipices, and between their dark outlines the strip 
 of sky was red. And now Corlon stepped forward, 
 and Ascar saw and knew him. The horror of that 
 remembrance stopped his breath. 
 
 ' Who are you ? ' asked Corlon. 
 
 1 We belong to the young leader.' 
 
 ' Who is that with you ? ' 
 
 ' He is our prisoner.' 
 
 1 You lie. He is ours.'
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 145 
 
 1 Draw your swords,' cried Ivlon, gaily, ' and he 
 shall belong to that man of us who is best.' 
 
 ' You talk like a fool,' whispered Uldic in his ear. 
 1 There are twenty men. You must leave this 
 dispute to me.' 
 
 1 Brothers,' he said in slow, impassive tones, ' our 
 master is the son of your master. We must not 
 dispute. Let me confer with you.' 
 
 He advanced a step — his foot caught in the 
 bough of a crawling bush, and he fell. In an 
 instant the Rema seized him ; and then rushed to 
 Ivlon, whose sword flashed out as he set his 
 back against the rock. Ascar was unnoticed, 
 might even have escaped, but he could not desert 
 the men who had saved his life. 
 
 All unarmed as he was, he thrust himself 
 among the Rema, who for one instant actually 
 gave way. Before he had reached Ivlon, however, 
 he was surrounded and dragged back, thrown over, 
 and held with a sword against his throat. Ivlon 
 maintained his position, motionless — his sword 
 drawn, his young face white and set ; and the 
 Rema, seeing that he was desperate, hesitated to 
 attack him. Then suddenly a little figure darted 
 forward from one side, and struck a tremendous 
 blow with a great hatchet — the shield of Ivlon 
 turned it, but his shoulder was wounded ; and the 
 Rema, seeing his blood flow, were encouraged. 
 They rushed on him ; in an instant he was struck 
 VOL. I. K
 
 146 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 down. . . . Ascar heard him fall, and his own heart 
 and strength gave way. He closed his eyes, and 
 waves seemed to close above him ; there followed 
 a few instants of unconsciousness. 
 
 He raised himself at last His eyes were still 
 bewildered, but he was aware that he was no longer 
 held. The Rema stood about him in the dark 
 pass ... his glance sought anxiously for his late 
 companions. He saw them at a little distance ; 
 they were both bound hand and foot ; they were 
 seated on the ground, with a guard of Rema near 
 them. On the face of the younger was restless 
 misery, but Uldic appeared resigned and indifferent. 
 
 ' Uldic, speak to them. They do not understand. 
 Tell them about the prisoner.' 
 
 ' It would do no good.' 
 
 ' Tell them we are Alvo's men.' 
 
 ' They know it well enough.' 
 
 1 If I could have wounded one of them,' Ivlon 
 muttered, but Uldic only turned impatiently away. 
 
 Ascar looked at them both with a pity keen as 
 shame. What would be the fate of these men who 
 had saved his life? He could see how Ivlon's 
 restlessness chafed the skin upon his wrists, while 
 blood dripped slowly from his shoulder to the 
 ground. 
 
 'Come and be bound, old friend,' cried one of 
 the Rema. ' And tell your comrades our ways, for 
 you understand them.'
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAK. 147 
 
 1 Wait an instant,' said Ascar. He tore a strip 
 off his sleeve, and bound the wound of Ivlon, 
 clumsily enough. The young prisoner seemed too 
 much bewildered to take notice of the action. 
 Himself bound, Ascar sat down by the side of his 
 companions. 
 
 What would happen next ? What would be the 
 end of this, not for himself but for the men who 
 had saved his life ? He could give them no 
 comfort ... he could not help them or himself . . . 
 and the Gods in the White Heaven took no heed of 
 prisoners. Ah ! he knew what it was to be the 
 captive of the Rema — but these men who had saved 
 him, had been generous to him. . . . 
 
 ' We are going to the land of the Rema,' said one 
 of the soldiers. 
 
 The sun had set ; the hills looked dark and 
 wan ; they set out on their march to the enemy's 
 country.
 
 X. 
 
 We will grieve not, rather find 
 Strength in what remains behind ; 
 In the primal sympathy 
 Which having been, must ever be, 
 In the soothing thoughts that spring 
 Out of human suffering. 
 
 So it must be ; so it has ever been. But the 
 primal sympathy is not always on the surface. 
 The stars of heaven looked down on the three 
 captives, but the stars did not see them turn to 
 wards each other. 
 
 They went on through the night, travelling north- 
 wards amongst the hills. Their hands and feet 
 were bound, but it was possible to move. The 
 march led them down rough paths, round corners 
 of massive rocks ; and then upwards again, clamber- 
 ing and stumbling, whilst stars shone above their 
 heads. The shadows of hills were everywhere, but 
 here and there some edge of rock would glisten in 
 the moonlight ; though darkness slept in unfathom- 
 able crevices, or cast round them strange forms, as if 
 
 148
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 149 
 
 the rocks themselves were enchanted. Once, turning 
 a corner, they could see below them the silver spray 
 of a waterfall ; once a river shone in front of 
 them — the River of Blue Waters, said the Rema — 
 several times they passed bubbling springs, whose 
 sound was pleasant in the darkness. Or there were 
 defiles, haunted by hosts of shadowy enemies ; or 
 silver plains shining like water in the moonlight ; 
 or great hills whose outlines were black against the 
 sky. The march was a dream, but the night and 
 loneliness were dismal, and Ascar was glad when 
 the sky became pale with dawn. The Rema shared 
 their horses, and walked and rode by turns, but for 
 the prisoners there was no relaxing of fatigue. 
 Ascar envied Ivlon's light footstep, and even Uldic's 
 heavy stride ; his companions did not become weary 
 like himself. 
 
 So dawn came, and the sun — and the sun brought 
 the heat, and it soon became natural to wish for 
 night. And Ascar flagged more and more, although 
 often reminded to be active by the sting of some 
 Rema's whip. 
 
 ' Lean on me,' whispered Ivlon, without looking 
 at his companion. 
 
 It was the first word he had spoken to him since 
 they shared captivity. 
 
 Ascar paid no heed ; but he had heard the little 
 sentence, and it conveyed to him some sense of 
 fellowship. He could not but notice besides that
 
 ISO THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 Ivlon slackened his own pace, though that slacken- 
 ing brought on him also showers of blows. The 
 Estri was grateful, but in the presence of the Rema 
 the expression of gratitude was impossible. 
 
 After all, there were pleasures — some intervals 
 of rest, whilst the Rema indulged themselves in 
 coarse jests or sleep ; and Uldic stretched himself 
 out like a great log ; and Ivlon crouched on the 
 ground, writhing miserably. To the Estri, worn 
 out by previous experiences, rest seemed like the 
 Heaven of the Gods itself; and he almost wondered 
 that his companion could have strength enough 
 left to be humiliated. Alas ! he was right ; a cap- 
 tive's many troubles do not long leave room for the 
 sense of degradation. 
 
 Not even to Ivlon. Through the second night, 
 Ascar, too tired to sleep, heard him toss and moan ; 
 but in the morning, whilst the soldiers were pre- 
 paring for their march, he sank down on the ground, 
 and slept as soundly as a child. Roughly roused, 
 he sprang up, surprised that he had slept, and his 
 light laugh rang out as it had done of old ; whilst 
 the two other captives, less inclined for mirth, 
 looked round on him with visible disgust. They 
 would have been wiser if they had not vexed them- 
 selves, for evidently laughter could not long be 
 possible. As the long days passed, and the weary 
 march went on, the captives seemed far enough re- 
 moved from mirth.
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 151 
 
 ' There is the Wall of Stone,' said Uldic suddenly 
 one morning, gazing on a shadowy mass against 
 the sky. He added, apparently seized by a sudden 
 thought, ' They must be taking us to the Leopard's 
 Den.' 
 
 'Then Ursan must know,' whispered Ivlon, who 
 was startled. 
 
 Uldic made no answer, and they went on silently. 
 But from that moment a deeper gloom took pos- 
 session of Alvo's men — their captivity was more 
 serious than they had thought. 
 
 On the next morning the Wall of Stone was 
 climbed, no easy matter to those whose feet were 
 bound. But the top was reached at last ; and they 
 all lay down to rest, and gazed on the vast panorama 
 on all sides — rocks, hillsides, mountains ; to the 
 south the great Ekelfah, stretching far away to the 
 invisible Fair Country. The sinking sun dyed the 
 plain and rocks with crimson. Ascar lay and gazed 
 with his whole heart in his eyes. Somewhere in 
 the invisible distance lay his home, but the land of 
 the Rema was nearer now . . . and death. 
 
 ' Hola, Estri,' cried a Rema, ' art thou looking 
 for the Alidrah ? Shall I tell thee what is happening 
 to thy pretty wife ? ' 
 
 The nobleman tried not to listen, but the first 
 few words he heard brought the shudder of a 
 pang which was worse than the fear of death. 
 
 ' Thou art married then ? ' whispered a murmur
 
 152 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 at his ear, and he became aware that Ivlon lay 
 at his side. 
 
 He gave a sign of assent, but could not speak ; at 
 that moment he was in no mood for sympathy. 
 No leisure was allowed for combat with the phan- 
 toms. They descended the Wall of Stone that night. 
 
 And then — through some long, slow days they 
 again marched over a plain ; sombre, thirsty 
 days of the most intense monotony. One scene, 
 however, occurred which was distinct, which 
 impressed itself on the prisoners' memory. 
 
 It was this. They had been travelling during 
 a gloomy afternoon through a dense mist which 
 obscured the earth and sky, with wet drops 
 clinging to their garments and hair, until all, 
 even the horses, were dejected. At night - fall 
 they came to a hovel, the first human dwelling- 
 place which the Estri had seen since his cap- 
 tivity began — built beneath a rock, with three 
 trees in front of it, which flung out their arms on 
 the mist like angry giants. From the door of 
 the hovel a tall man came to receive them ; be- 
 hind him was a gaunt woman, probably his wife. 
 
 So you have come again,' he said, in the 
 language of the Rema. 
 
 ' Ar-r,' asserted Corlon, with the Rema snarl. 
 
 • You have prisoners. Are they noblemen of 
 the Alidrah ? ' 
 
 ' This one is an Estri.'
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 153 
 
 The man laughed unpleasantly, and pointed at 
 his wife, twisting his thumb beneath his arm. 
 
 ' She does not love the Estria.' 
 
 ' No,' said the woman, ' I do not love them. I 
 am one of the Sena. They have almost killed out 
 my tribe. They are all devils. Are you taking 
 this devil to the Leopard ? I trust that Ursan 
 will tear him limb from limb.' 
 
 Corlon looked disgusted, but the soldiers laughed 
 The prisoners were turned into a dark shed, 
 secured, and left. They were hungry and thirsty, 
 but food and drink were scarce ; and they were 
 thankful to be allowed to rest. The shed, however, 
 though damp, was intolerably hot ; and fever and 
 thirst made sleep impossible. The long night 
 passed slowly ; and they were watching the first 
 light through the chinks when they heard the sound 
 of a footstep outside the door. It was the woman 
 who entered ; and by the dim light of the dawn 
 they could see that she bore a large jar upon her 
 head. 
 
 She stooped to Uldic, and set the jar against his 
 mouth ; at the sound of his heavy draughts the 
 others raised themselves enviously. Ascar lifted 
 his dry lips as she raised the jar again ; but she 
 passed him, and went to the other side of the shed. 
 He followed her with his thirsty, burning glance ; 
 and at that instant his eyes and Ivlon's met. 
 
 1 Prisoners share alike,' said Ivlon to the woman.
 
 154 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 She answered, — 
 
 ' I give no water to an Estri of the Alidrah.' 
 
 ' Still we will share,' he said, and buried his face 
 in his arms ; and seeing him resolute, she turned 
 away ; then, woman-like, returned after she had 
 passed the entrance, and held out the jar to each, to 
 Ascar first. Afterwards she occupied herself with 
 offices for all, bathing their faces and feet, and 
 pitying the marks of stripes ; although, because 
 of the scene described, or his good looks, or his 
 youth, the youngest absorbed the largest share of 
 her attention. 
 
 ' I must go,' she said, as the pale light became 
 stronger. ' He will find out afterwards, but I 
 must be near him when he wakes.' 
 
 1 Will he be angry?' Ivlon asked, and she laughed 
 harshly, swung the jar on her shoulder, and went 
 out through the entrance ; leaving them to wonder 
 till the sound of Rema voices warned them that 
 the day's march would soon begin. 
 
 They were dragged from the shed, and came out 
 with blinking eyelids, scarcely able at first to see the 
 difference of the prospect ; for the mist had cleared, 
 a mountain rose above the hovel, and in the distance 
 were white peaks, faint in morning light. The tall 
 man stood talking to Corlon ; in the shadow of the 
 entrance there was the figure of the woman, motion- 
 less. 
 
 ' Why, no ! ' cried a Rema, ' the great jar is
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 155 
 
 nearly empty ; the prisoners must have been drink- 
 ing.' 
 
 The owner gave a sudden start. He looked 
 back at the woman, who advanced a pace, with a 
 pale face, but with her head held scornfully. 
 
 ' They have been drinking/ she said in a harsh 
 voice. 
 
 He did not answer, but laid his hand upon her 
 shoulder. Corlon, whose orders had been dis- 
 obeyed, was furious ; and called at once to one of 
 the chief men of his band, — 
 
 ' Take that woman, and scourge her.' 
 
 ' There is no need,' said the man, standing 
 quietly with his hand upon her shoulder. 
 
 She did not move, but she looked up into his 
 face, and it was evident that she was afraid. The 
 aspect of the man was so grim that Corlon took no 
 further trouble, but began to arrange the detaiis 
 of the march. 
 
 In the confusion of the start it chanced that for 
 one instant the woman was standing near the 
 prisoners. 
 
 ' I could not help it,' she said in a trembling 
 whisper. ' They told me you were all to die. 
 Some day he will kill me, and there will be an end 
 of it' 
 
 She shrank back as the Rema came between 
 them, and they saw her no more. 
 
 As they travelled onwards, the eyes of Ascar and
 
 156 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 Ivlon turned often back to look at the lonely 
 hovel, but soon it was only a black mark on the 
 mountain ; and then a hillside came between and 
 it was lost. They had left it behind them like 
 the Wall of Stone, like the great Ekelfah, like the 
 Fair Country. And yet in the breasts of both the 
 young captives struggled the memory of that 
 lonely home. 
 
 That lonely home, that gaunt, careworn woman 
 — were there many such places in the corners of 
 the world ? 
 
 Where were the gods, thought Ascar, who 
 should send down light from heaven, and give aid 
 to the feeble, and to prisoners ? Would they pro- 
 tect Olbri, who had lost his friend ; or Ered . . . ? 
 The world was full of misery. And yet there were 
 still a few hands to help sufferers, and thirsty lips 
 that could turn away from water. Why could he 
 not speak to Ivlon ? Ah ! he had rejected him, he 
 had shown him an Estri's pride, and dared not 
 turn towards him now. And, meanwhile, through 
 Ivlon's young heart one sentence fluttered — the 
 words of the woman — ' They told me you were all 
 to die.' 
 
 It was a new thought from which he could not 
 free himself, which closed round him like the mists 
 of yesterday ; and yet, though he was conscious 
 that darkness was before him, he shrank like a 
 coward from contemplating [it. Sometimes he
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 157 
 
 looked with piteous eyes at Uldic, but in Uldic's 
 impassive face there was no encouragement. And 
 still they went on, stumbling through wild moun- 
 tain-districts, with a strange mountain-title — ' Lum- 
 ber-Rooms of God.' One more barren plain, one 
 only, lay before them, and then the land of the 
 Rema — and the end. 
 
 It was after they reached that last plain that 
 their worst trials began. 
 
 One evening, when all were resting on the 
 ground, they were roused by the unexpected ap- 
 pearance of two men. These were Nardi, who 
 with Lipsus had been absent during the march ; 
 and another, who had not the appearance of a 
 Rema. Any change was welcome, and the Rema 
 roused themselves, whilst Corlon asked anxiously 
 what news there was. 
 
 1 Maravel Rudol comes.' 
 
 1 Aha ! ' said Corlon. 
 
 1 They say that he will take charge of the 
 prisoners.' 
 
 ' He may do so. Since he claims to be Ursan's 
 favourite, he will be more shielded than I am 
 from Maravel Alvo's wrath. Didst thou know 
 Alvo?' 
 
 He turned to the visitor, a brown, fat specimen 
 of a mountain-tribe. 
 
 1 Ah ! I knew him.'
 
 158 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' What didst thou think of him ? ' 
 
 ' I thought him a Noridah ' (Jiandsome fellow) ; 
 4 he gave me a sword-belt' 
 
 ' But thou hatedst him ? ' 
 
 4 Ah ! ' 
 
 Not another word was said, but the small, fat 
 visitor crossed to the prisoners. As he looked 
 down on Uldic, the captives saw that his lips 
 moved ; their murmur was almost inaudible : 
 
 ' Your master's men should not be here.' 
 
 Then he turned away without a change of coun- 
 tenance ; and the captives also dared not express 
 their wonder. But to their friendless condition 
 there was untold value in a single word of 
 sympathy. 
 
 The next morning, when they had slept, and 
 were all about to start, Uldic found occasion to 
 whisper words to Ivlon ; for his experience, older 
 than that of his companion, foresaw that there 
 would be trouble when Maravel Rudol came. The 
 great Uldic, who bore all trials stolidly, had little 
 pity for his companion's impatience ; and as on 
 this occasion he deigned to give him warning he 
 was evidently afraid that the danger would be 
 grave. He was still speaking when the last night's 
 visitor came and stood in front as if he were sur- 
 veying him. 
 
 ' Alvo's man ! ' he said, and his hands touched 
 Uldic's arm.
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 159 
 
 The Rema who were near him laughed uproari- 
 ously. 
 
 ' Alvo's man ! ' he said again, as he paused in 
 front of Ivlon, gazing at him with what seemed 
 keener interest. 
 
 The Rema began telling him that ' the young 
 cub had hot blood, and Maravel Rudol — Maravel 
 Rudol would make it flow ! ' 
 
 Still the fat man gazed, and kept on touching 
 with his hand the cords which bound Ivlon, as if 
 unconsciously. 
 
 ' Tell this to Alvo,' he whispered suddenly ; and 
 then turned away, and was not seen by them 
 again. 
 
 With a cautious movement Ivlon slowly raised 
 his wrists. The cords which bound them had 
 been cut in several places. Ascar and Uldic saw, 
 and in an instant closed upon him to shield him 
 from detection by the Rema. Ivlon looked at 
 them with blue eyes that danced with joy. - 
 
 ' It shall be for all of us, for all of us,' he said. 
 
 ' Wait, wait/ muttered Uldic ; ' we must choose 
 a fitting moment. Meanwhile, be patient, if thou 
 hast, to wait for days.' 
 
 They stood together. Ascar looked across the 
 plain to some peaks in the distance, dark against 
 a yellow sky. He wondered that he could not 
 hope — perhaps because he had been so long a 
 captive — for surely some hope was now permis-
 
 160 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 sible. All at once there rose before his eyes the 
 dark wood, and the torches, the dead bodies of 
 his companions ; and, as he started at the vision, 
 he saw what had caused it, for near him was the 
 face of Rudol, as he had seen it on his wedding- 
 night. A mean face, gazing at him with a cruel 
 smile — oh ! had not fresh danger arrived with the 
 Maravel ? 
 
 In a few more instants the little band divided, 
 and rough steeds bore away Corlon and his men, 
 whilst the grating voice of Rudol could be heard 
 giving directions, which the Rema on all sides 
 obeyed abjectly. The march began. The cap- 
 tives were placed in the centre, with enemies sur- 
 rounding them on every side — a circumstance 
 which caused Ivlon to assume great demureness, 
 although now and then he tossed his yellow curls. 
 Beneath enforced caution his young face gleamed 
 with hope, though its outlines were sunken by 
 captivity. He felt the responsibility of his posi- 
 tion ; he must be cautious, must not be impatient. 
 
 ' Nardi,' cried a Rema, ' what hast thou done 
 with thy new sword ? ' 
 
 ' I gave it to the Maravel/ said Nardi, screwing 
 his mouth into a smile. 
 
 ' Thy new sword ? ' 
 
 'Ah! It has Alvo's name upon it. I knew 
 Maravel Rudol would love one of Alvo's swords. 
 Look at the eyes of the young one,' for Ivlon
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTKI ASCAR. 161 
 
 had turned round anxiously. ' Here is Maravel 
 Rudol to answer for himself.' 
 
 Rudol came up, swaggering, with his new sword 
 at his side, and at once kicked the youngest 
 prisoner, and commanded him to walk faster. 
 Then, when Ivlon obeyed, he struck him with 
 his whip, and told him to walk slower ; he would 
 teach him how to walk ! Without mounting his 
 horse, he paced onwards by the prisoners, eyeing 
 them to discover some excuse for punishment. 
 It was upon Ivlon that his mind was chiefly 
 fixed — on Ivlon, whose colour came and went so 
 easily ! 
 
 1 So ! we have heard from Alvo,' he announced 
 in a loud voice, gratified because the news made 
 Ivlon start. ' He will do nothing for these men, 
 his Exiles. Alvo has no spirit with which to 
 help his men.' 
 
 1 It is false,' cried Ivlon. 
 
 Rudol looked at him with a smile. 
 
 1 So thou canst believe in thy master ? The 
 Rema know him better. This is how thy master 
 writhes when his wounds are being dressed.' He 
 made some clumsy movements, and the Rema 
 laughed. 
 
 1 Maravel,' said Ivlon, in a humble voice, ' I 
 must entreat thee not to speak against my master.' 
 
 Rudol's eyes shone, and with a motion of his 
 fingers he demanded attention from every member 
 VOL. I. L
 
 1 62 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 of the band. A moment of triumph ! in which, 
 by one crowning insult, he could inflict shame on 
 Alvo as well as Alvo's man. He did not under- 
 stand the cause of the excitement which throbbed 
 in the young captive as if his heart would burst. 
 
 1 Alvo ! the Coward ! ' he cried in piercing tones, 
 and the lash of his whip cut the captive's cheek. 
 
 In the same instant ... he felt that his throat 
 was grasped ; his eyes became dizzy, he tottered, 
 and fell forwards. If it is possible to pay by 
 agony for sin, some part of a long reckoning 
 must have been discharged. But the deadly grasp 
 was dragged by main force from his throat ; and 
 though all was still dark he felt again that he 
 could breathe. The other captives knew the 
 rest — had seen Ivlon's grip on Rudol, had seen 
 the band of Rema fall upon them both, had seen 
 Rudol left on the ground, a writhing heap, and 
 Ivlon in the hands of the rest, a prisoner. Ah ! 
 it was over, their one faint gleam of hope, their 
 comrade's impatient deed had ruined them. And 
 he — if he had enjoyed an instant's vengeance, he 
 knew that now he must prepare for punishment
 
 XI. 
 
 "'Ediiprjaa, /ecu e7r ortcrare ^ue. 
 
 RUDOL rose slowly. 
 
 He was still panting ; there were red marks 
 on his throat ; he looked with half-blinded eyes 
 to see if the soldiers laughed. This story of his 
 fall would never be forgotten ; for the rest of his 
 life it would be told how a captive overcame 
 him ! One comfort remained — but still for a 
 while he paused, for the convulsive motion of 
 his throat would not suffer him to speak. 
 
 The sun was rising, and showed the plain wet 
 with dew, and dotted with thorn-bushes, whilst 
 in the distance were the outlines of mountains 
 against the sky. All but Ivlon were standing ; 
 the Rema soldiers closing round him, and the 
 two older captives as near him as they dared ; 
 Ascar pallid with anxiety and pity, and Uldic, 
 with the countenance of a philosopher. Ivlon 
 was quiet, sitting on the ground, his bound hands 
 
 163
 
 1 64 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 loosely clasped, and his eyes looking in front of 
 him. He had once sewn a piece of charmed 
 gold into his doublet ; he hoped it might help 
 him ... he was in need of help. 
 
 ' So ! ' cried Rudol in gasps ; ' here is a captive 
 who would escape ! Bring out the scourges. 
 He must be taught a lesson ! ' And the men, 
 nothing loth, produced or twisted scourges, whilst 
 Ascar trembled as he would not have trembled 
 for himself. 
 
 Ivlon, meanwhile, watched the men with steady 
 eyes ; and, looking up at Uldic, smiled as chil- 
 dren smile. He did not doubt that it would be 
 easy to be brave, for he had not had much ex- 
 perience of pain. 
 
 And now . . . his punishment was over. It had 
 been worse than he expected. It is terrible when 
 punishment is worse than expectation. He had 
 not cried out, had not asked for mercy, but still 
 he could not be sure that he was brave. Pale, 
 shivering as if he were shaken from head to foot, 
 he sat and looked stupidly in front of him. If 
 he could have died when he was in his master's 
 camp ... he might have died without having 
 known such pain as this ! 
 
 ' Maravel,' Nardi said, ' we must do something 
 to his back. If these wounds do not heal — ' 
 
 ' Wait an instant,' cried Rudol. ' Bring out 
 slave's fetters, and fasten them on his ankles.
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI A SCAR. 165 
 
 In future he shall not find it so easy to escape ! ' 
 
 A Rema brought the fetters, and stooped to 
 fasten them ; but raised himself, saying that the 
 iron rings were too small. Rudol stamped his 
 foot ; and, seeing that he was determined, the 
 man forced them on, exerting all his strength. 
 
 * And now,' Rudol cried, ' thou shalt be driven 
 before me like a slave.' 
 
 The young captive raised heavy eyes, but did 
 not move. A wan, piteous smile fluttered on his 
 lips. It said, * Thou hast hurt me so much that 
 thou hast no power left.' 
 
 1 Thou wilt not ? Then thou shalt have more 
 punishment. Give him some strokes on the backs 
 of his feet Will you obey me ? ' 
 
 The Rema had hesitated, but they now obeyed 
 reluctantly, muttering that they had no wish to 
 carry the prisoner. They struck — but their victim 
 appeared not to feel the blows ; his blank, leaden 
 face could not now be moved by pain. For one 
 instant the leader paused — and in that instant he 
 caught sight of indignant features close to him. 
 
 ' Aha, the young Estri ! ' cried Rudol, suddenly ; 
 1 there is no reason that the Estri should be spared. 
 Listen, you] to Ivlon, ' who sit there like a log, your 
 carcase is valuable, or there should not be much 
 left of it ! But the young Estri ' — and he pro- 
 ceeded to detail some of the foul forms of Rema 
 punishment. ' Refuse to obey me, sit there an
 
 1 66 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 instant longer, and the Estri shall swallow his eyes 
 before your face ! ' 
 
 ' Do nothing for me,' cried Ascar, instantly. 
 
 But, from the depth of his own anguish, Ivlon 
 heard the call ; and, howsoever borne down by 
 suffering, it was not in his nature to refuse to render 
 help. He rose with an effort to his wounded feet ; 
 and Rudol realised that he was able to subdue him. 
 It was in his nature to make use of that knowledge 
 in order to inflict yet another humiliation. 
 
 ' So ! thou wouldst save the Estri ? Then go 
 down upon thy knees. On thy knees ! Kneel to 
 me, or the Estri shall die for it.' 
 
 Ivlon trembled, wavered, hot with shame and 
 indecision ; but, as they seized Ascar, he sank 
 upon his knees. 
 
 The Rema laughed loudly ; they had not ex- 
 pected such submission, and it was natural that 
 they should receive it with contempt. The great 
 face of Uldic flushed with indignation, moved for 
 the first time since his captivity. 
 
 ' I did not desire it,' cried Ascar angrily. ' I 
 wish no man to be sacrificed for me. Swallow my 
 eyes yourself, Maravel ; and enjoy the taste of 
 them ! ' 
 
 His imperfect accent made the Rema laugh- 
 Rudol laughed with them, almost with good- 
 humour. Meanwhile, Ivlon, tottering, scarcely 
 able to support himself, leaned with closed eyes
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 176 
 
 against the tall stem of a thorn bush. Uldic drew 
 near him, his great face still flushed with wrath, 
 whose passion could be heard through the low 
 tones of his voice. 
 
 1 Thou dost kneel to a Rema ! ' 
 
 ' Do not be angry ,' Ivlon moaned. ' Uldic, say 
 thou art sorry for me.' 
 
 ' It is all thy fault.' 
 
 1 Still say thou art sorry. ... At least I hurt his 
 throat.' 
 
 ' That did us no good. I cannot understand 
 thee.' 
 
 1 No/ muttered Ivlon. ' And thou wilt not 
 understand me until thy blood is hot — or until 
 mine is cold.' 
 
 He turned away wearily ; but the Rema came to 
 him, and laid hold of him for an examination. 
 
 * Bring salt for his back,' cried Nardi. ' These are 
 wounds. If these mortify — the Leopard may 
 claw us if he dies.' 
 
 1 And the young leader,' whispered one in Nardi's 
 ear. 
 
 ' True,' said Nardi aloud. ' Well, at least we will 
 dress his wounds. We have given the fool such a 
 lesson that he will be afraid of us next time.' 
 
 ' Try me ! ' cried Ivlon, but the Rema only 
 laughed ; and, dragging him tothe ground, set to 
 work upon his wounds. 
 
 Even in the half-stunned condition of the captive,
 
 1 68 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 the torture they gave was almost unbearable. His 
 fainting condition appeared to move the soldiers, 
 if not to pity, at least to seriousness. 
 
 1 1 do not see/ said the Rema who had fettered 
 the captive's ankles, 'how he can walk in these 
 especially since his feet are wounded,' 
 
 ■ A man could do it.' 
 
 ' Hardly. And a lad is not a man.' 
 
 Rudol's harsh voice now cried that the band 
 was to move forward. 
 
 The men appeared to be afraid or discontented ; 
 but they dared not rebel, and the march began 
 once more. The endless march ! It would be 
 impossible to find words with which to describe its 
 agony. 
 
 For all day Ivlon was conscious of little else 
 but pain — dizzy, burning pain, which filled his eyes 
 and ears ; heightened by a delirium of thirst, only 
 for an instant slaked by the rare draughts of water 
 allowed at intervals. Once he fell, fainting, and 
 they poured water on his head, but the waste of 
 water roused the fury of the Rema, who threatened 
 that unless he kept upon his feet he should be 
 granted no drops to relieve his fever. It was in 
 the hope of water — the one hope left in life — that 
 he struggled on upon his bandaged, wounded feet, 
 whilst strange sounds echoed in his ears, shadows 
 moved before his eyes, the voices near him seemed
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 169 
 
 to come from far away ; whilst the sky was black, 
 the thorn-flowers blurs of yellow, and Uldic moved 
 in front of him, and Ascar by his side. He went 
 on in darkness, absorbed by a delirium which could 
 not blot out the consciousness of pain. 
 
 Ascar kept near him ; it was all that he could do. 
 Wrath, shame, and pity filled the Estri's heart. 
 So this was another, this was a crowning instance 
 to prove that the gods were unfit to rule the 
 world ! What did the gods care ? They looked 
 down from their heaven and saw captives beaten, 
 and helpless wives ill-treated, whilst They shone in 
 the stars — they were in the hunting-grounds — no, 
 in the cold deep Silence into which no voice can 
 enter. After all, what does it matter, happiness or 
 misery, the time comes to die, and have done with 
 it ? And yet, far away, there was still the Alidrah 
 where he might again have his bride, his wedding- 
 night. . . . Some words fluttered ceaselessly : 
 
 1 Help us, we are wretched. In mercy — in Thy 
 mercy — lead us to our country.' 
 
 They floated into the silence of the plain, and he 
 went on silently by Ivlon's side. 
 
 So that day passed ; and they could see in front 
 of them the Rema mountains, distinct against the 
 sky — the sunset came again with a flood of gold, 
 and lying down on the ground, they tried to sleep. 
 Ivlon had no sleep, however, and was of strange 
 colours the next morning ; his face yellow, his lips
 
 170 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 blue, and his eyes set in dark circles whilst his 
 head was inclined to sink forward on his breast, 
 and his knees trembled as if he had the ague. 
 The Rema bestowed all sorts of curses on him, and 
 muttered that now they would be compelled to 
 carry him. But Rudol saw no such necessity. 
 
 ' Let him walk,' said the Maravel ; ' he will walk 
 fast enough if his share of water depends on it' 
 
 Rudol was in high spirits. For the first time in 
 his life he was tasting a vengeance which satisfied 
 himself — the more so, doubtless, since each pang 
 of his young victim was a weapon by which the 
 young leader too was wounded. Ah ! if the time 
 came for Alvo to take vengeance — but then the 
 old Maravel no longer shielded Alvo — the time 
 might come, rather, when it would be possible to 
 treat him as his favourite was being treated now. 
 Rudol often imagined that he was striking Alvo — 
 always with the understanding that Alvo's hands 
 would then be bound. 
 
 1 Aha,' he cried, as he rode up to his captive, 
 ' he is not brisk now ! We have bent his head at 
 last ! ' 
 
 Ivlon held up his head with all the pride he 
 had ; and the Rema shouted that ' the lad was 
 still impudent.' 
 
 4 Then he shall have no water with the morning 
 meal ; ' and satisfied with his sentence, the Maravel 
 rode away.
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 171 
 
 1 Of all the young fools ! ' Nardi muttered apart 
 to Ivlon. 'Is it not possible even to pretend that 
 you are humble ? ' 
 
 ' I am thirsty. Will you give me water ? ' 
 
 Nardi laughed, and moved further off. If the 
 lad died of fever it was no concern of his. He 
 could say that he had fulfilled his duty to his 
 master, if the time ever came to meet Maravel 
 Alvo's wrath. 
 
 So that morning passed, and they came close 
 to the hills, and halted. With delirious longing 
 Ivlon saw them open jars and skins. Then the 
 turn of the prisoners came, Ascar's first, Uldic's 
 after him ; and then at last — at last — they placed 
 a bowl of water in his hands. For one instant he 
 raised his head, and his eyes shone with delight ; 
 then he stooped to the water. 
 
 1 Take it away from him/ said Rudol. 
 
 They took it from him. The water fell to the 
 ground. For the first instant he was stunned, 
 looking down with a stupid gaze. Then sud- 
 denly, he broke into the wildest laughter and 
 crying, which rang terribly through the silence of 
 the band. Even the Rema shuddered and shrank 
 back, almost inclined to turn away their faces. 
 Ivlon's knees gave way, and he fell down on the 
 ground. He lay there, a quivering mass rather 
 than a man. 
 
 Then one stepped forward, the Rema who had
 
 172 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 fastened the fetters. His face was flushed, but he 
 gave no other sign of fear. 
 
 1 Maravel, he is only a boy. You are cruel.' 
 Rudol was too much astonished to be angry. 
 He muttered that the cub must be taught 
 manners, and rode on. The Rema pulled Ivlon 
 from the ground, and dragged him on ; telling 
 him that if he were good he should have water 
 in the evening. But the evening was far away, 
 and Ivlon at an end of strength ; he could not 
 even submit to their handling, but sobbed and 
 laughed deliriously. His condition was so terrible 
 that before the evening came they halted beneath 
 a rock, that he might rest. Ascar, in an agony, 
 had tried to plead for him ; but had been silenced 
 by blows, and not permitted to walk near him. 
 In all the wretchedness experienced by the cap- 
 tives they had never known such an afternoon as 
 this. 
 
 Changes were at hand, however. As they lay 
 beneath the rock, against which Ivlon leaned, 
 with the soldiers round him, there came whispers 
 that other Rema had arrived, and that Maravel 
 Rudol had gone forward to them. Then, before 
 the band had time to express its wonder, there 
 suddenly appeared a small figure with a hatchet ; 
 and starting up, all the Rema rushed to it, and 
 seized the new-comer with embracing arms. From 
 their rough caresses little Lipsus — it was Lipsus
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI AS CAR. 173 
 
 — struggled with all the strength he could com- 
 mand. 
 
 ' Let go/ he cried in a shrill voice. ' My hatchet 
 shall wound you ! I tell you, let go of both of us. 
 We will strike you ! You will hear all the news 
 when the Maravel comes back. I have only an 
 instant, and I must see my prisoner/ 
 
 ' Your prisoner/ cried the band ; but the little 
 Rema answered firmly, — 
 
 'The man I wounded — whom my hatchet 
 wounded. He stands against the rock ; I know 
 him by his yellow hair. Ah ! ' He started, and 
 for an instant said no more. 
 
 ' He looks different/ said Lipsus, gravely. 
 
 ' No wonder/ said the Rema. 
 
 ' What have you done to his feet ? ' 
 
 * We cut them open with our scourges.' 
 
 1 And his back also ? ' 
 
 ' Ah ! you should see his back.' 
 
 ' And Maravel Rudol commands this,' muttered 
 Lipsus. 
 
 ' The fool tried to escape. He deserved punish- 
 ment' 
 
 ' Truly/ said Lipsus. But he added, still more 
 gravely : ' When I am a Maravel I will not ill-treat 
 my prisoners.' 
 
 The band echoed with derision, — 
 
 ' When Lipsus is Maravel ! ' but the little Rema 
 paid no attention to them.
 
 174 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' This is nothing,' said one. ' It is what prisoners 
 must expect. But it is a shame to give a man no 
 water. He has had none to-day.' 
 
 With a sudden movement of his head, Lipsus 
 looked up once more towards the prisoner. Then, 
 suddenly, flinging his hatchet over his shoulder, 
 with the shrill cry peculiar to him, he rushed away. 
 The band looked after him, laughing ; and with 
 varying shades of scorn, pronounced that Lipsus 
 would never be a Maravel. 
 
 1 Only devils/ they said, quoting a familiar Rema 
 proverb, ' can hope to win Maravel Ursan's love.' 
 
 Lipsus came round the rock, and cried to 
 them, — 
 
 ' Nadvin has come with two mules' burden of 
 ornaments. The men who are near him are buy- 
 ing everything. Will you not go? I will watch 
 the prisoners.' 
 
 The men started up. Moscar — the most merci- 
 ful who, alone of the band, had once spoken 
 for the captive — fixed his eyes on Lipsus with a 
 singular expression ; but he did not speak, and 
 the band soon disappeared. It was evident from 
 their exclamations of delight, that the arrival of 
 Nadvin was a great event. 
 
 Then Lipsus came to Ivlon, drawing a rude 
 flask from his breast. 
 
 * Stoop,' he said in a hoarse whisper, ' stoop and 
 drink. It is only water, I could bring thee nothing
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 175 
 
 else. Ah ! make haste, drink quickly before 
 Maravel Rudol comes.' 
 
 Ivlon's mind was bewildered, but he under- 
 stood the words. He stooped, and the cold water 
 touched his burning lips. One draught — one 
 shoit draught ! — and then Lipsus was laid hold 
 of, and the rest of the water fell, wasted, to the 
 ground. 
 
 1 Did I not understand thee ? ' Moscar cried. 
 ' At least I will save thy back from Maravel 
 Rudol.' 
 
 He swung Lipsus, hatchet and all, into his 
 arms ; and carried him away, regardless of his 
 struggles. In a few instants, however, he returned 
 alone ; and after a moment's thought, approached 
 the captives. 
 
 4 We are not all as Maravel Rudol,' he muttered 
 earnestly to Ivlon. ' Thy master has fought for 
 the Rema ; it is a shame to treat thee thus. I have 
 vowed to be obedient — ' his dark face was per- 
 turbed. ( If there were anything I could do for 
 thee— ' 
 
 ' There is ! ' cried Ivlon, l and there is no 
 danger in it ! Place thy hand on my breast. 
 Dost thou feel the Rema charm ? Take that, and 
 give it for me to the Rema Lipsus. Tell him,' he 
 added with a quivering voice, ' that I pray to 
 the gods to give him water to drink when he is 
 thirsty.'
 
 176 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 The effort of pronouncing the few words was 
 too great, and with a moan he fell, fainting, to the 
 ground. Moscar, in terror, summoned all the 
 Rema, for it seemed as if death had set their victim 
 free. They hastened to him, chattering, loaded 
 with ornaments, and with them the dark-faced 
 Nadvin and his mules. Rudol and Lipsus, how- 
 ever, were not with them ; and, observing the 
 absence of the Maravel, Ascar felt a throb of 
 hope. If the captives might only be allowed a 
 little peace before they reached the land of the 
 Rema . . . and the end.
 
 XI I. 
 
 Then through the darkness of that darkest night 
 Our hands reached, clasped each other. 
 
 Was this the end? It was evening; they had 
 halted beneath a rock ; the last halt permitted 
 before they reached the Leopard's Den. Be- 
 neath them the red sunset shone over a barren 
 country, from which barren hills seemed to rise 
 and swell like waves. This was the Land of the 
 Rema ; the march was nearly over ; some rest 
 must be at hand, even if it were only the rest 
 of death. Meanwhile, down a deep defile there 
 went with tinkling bells the departing footsteps 
 of Nadvin and his mules. 
 
 Ascar lay and pondered. Since Rudol had 
 left the band, both himself and his fellow-captives 
 had been treated mercifully ; for the grave, surly 
 Rema official who had been left in command had 
 been alarmed by the condition of the prisoners. 
 From these fears, and from the kindness of the 
 little, bright-eyed Nadvin, it had followed that 
 VOL. I. M
 
 178 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 Ivlon and himself had been bound upon the 
 mules, that they had been revived with sufficient 
 food, even wine, and that in this leisure some days 
 of rest had passed. Days of dreams ! during which 
 Ascar had been chiefly conscious of the continual 
 tinkle of the mule-bells in his ears. And now 
 Nadvin was gone, and on himself and the other 
 prisoners lay already the shadow of an approaching 
 end. 
 
 Ascar raised his head. Seated with his back 
 against the rock was Uldic, utterly tired, but brave 
 and stolid. At a little distance stood Ivlon, 
 leaning against the rock to support himself, with 
 his eyes on a mouse which had just come from a 
 crevice. These men had saved him, they had suf- 
 fered with him, and yet how few words he had ex- 
 changed with them ! And now — in the presence of 
 death — With a sudden impulse, he moved forward 
 a few steps, and stood at Ivlon's side. The young 
 captive turned to him a sunken face; and then, 
 bending his eyes to the ground, was motionless. 
 
 Some Rema passed, glancing and muttering. 
 
 ' They are talking of us,' said Ascar, amazed at 
 the effort that the few words required. 
 
 Ivlon looked at him again, and on his haggard 
 face rose a weary bitterness which at last stirred 
 his lips. 
 
 * We are worth looking at/ he said — 'the faultless 
 Uldic, who never commits an error, or forgives one
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI AS CAR. 179 
 
 in another — the fine Estri A scar who in the Land 
 of Spirits itself will not talk unless he has Estria to 
 talk with him.' 
 
 He bent his head, and pulled grass out of the 
 rock, which he kept twisting with weary, restless 
 fingers. 
 
 The Estri was angry, but at that moment other 
 sensations were too strong for even his anger to 
 subdue them. 
 
 'If that is Ascar,' he asked gently, 'what is 
 Ivlon ? ' And with his bound hands he touched 
 his companion's arm. 
 
 Ivlon looked round on him, amazed, and his lips 
 trembled ; but he did not move from his com- 
 panion. After a while he spoke, with his eyes 
 looking far away, as if they were attracted by the 
 deep glow of the sunset, — 
 
 ' I ! I ! ' he said, I am nothing, nobody — I am 
 the youngest of the Ninety — I am Alvo's shield- 
 bearer. I might be — ' he paused — ' Estri Ascar's 
 friend — for a while — if he will. I am his fellow- 
 captive, whether he will or not.' 
 
 1 Let us be friends,' cried Ascar eagerly, unable 
 to resist this gentle nature any longer. 
 
 Their hands clasped, and the Estri thought irre- 
 sistibly of the moment when he had touched the 
 hands of the wizard's son. This face was not that 
 of Olbri, pale, keen and critical; and yet — not 
 less worthy of love —
 
 180 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 1 Why, they make friends ! ' cried a Rema. 
 
 The young men looked at each other, and 
 their laughter rang in peals. For the first time 
 the Estri fully understood that cheerfulness is 
 possible where there is companionship. He did 
 not forget the lesson, even when they were separ- 
 ated, and the Rema had punished the unusual 
 mirth. Uldic shrugged his broad shoulders. The 
 young captives deserved their stripes. For himself, 
 he desired neither mirth nor companionship. 
 
 Ah, the new friendship ! Through the darkness 
 of the night the two young prisoners, pleased as 
 those who have found a treasure, seized each 
 opportunity permitted by their captors to draw 
 near and whisper a few words to each other. They 
 were tired, the night was long, there were few 
 stars in the sky ; it was strange how much comfort 
 could be found in such foolish words. Strange, 
 too, that to Ascar the forms of Ered and Olbri 
 seemed to be closer than they had been before. 
 If the Gods were angry . . . but then the Gods, 
 who have heavenly wisdom, must know of some 
 country to which all men belong. Under the 
 stern hand of captivity the young Estri himself 
 was losing prejudices. 
 
 And now — the end ! Through a beautiful 
 summer evening he was dragged up steep paths 
 towards the Leopard's Den, too faint to observe
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTR1 ASCAR. 181 
 
 the ways, to look back for his companions, or even 
 to have any anxiety about his fate. Some con- 
 sciousness he had of a black overhanging rock, 
 and then that too failed, and for a while he knew 
 no more. And then ... he raised his head to 
 find himself in a dark passage, with Rema near 
 him, and Uldic and Ivlon by his side. 
 
 Ivlon was seated on the ground, and some blood 
 from his wounded feet was trickling slowly into the 
 crevices. Uldic, for his part, leaned against the 
 wall, and with closed eyes had composed himself 
 for sleep. They had laid Ascar on a seat cut in 
 the wall, from which he started now that his con- 
 sciousness returned. He could see the dark pas- 
 sage, dank with clinging mist, the torches on the 
 walls, his two companions . . . 
 
 ' Where are we ? ' he cried. 
 
 Ivlon answered with surprise, — 
 
 ' Hast thou forgotten ? We are in the Leopard's 
 Den.' 
 
 ' Is the march over ? 
 
 ' It is over, Estri Ascar.' 
 
 1 And now — will they kill us ? ' 
 
 ( They have not told us what they will do.' 
 
 Ivlon smiled. In that strange place his wan 
 face was familiar, and Ascar dropped to the ground 
 and clung to him. They crouched together, with 
 their arms round each other ; for their hearts were 
 made tender by the thought of death.
 
 1 82 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' Didst thou see the sunset, Ascar?' 
 
 1 1 do not know.' 
 
 1 Thou didst not look ! And we may never see 
 another ! Ascar, lean on my shoulder and sleep. 
 We may never sleep again.' 
 
 1 Or always sleep,' said Ascar. ' Ivlon, art thou 
 afraid to die ? ' 
 
 ' I cannot tell. I should be glad to have no 
 feet. My wounds broke open to-night, and they 
 beat me before they carried me. Ascar, the march 
 is over ! ' 
 
 1 It is over,' said Ascar. ' And we shall be to- 
 gether if we die.' 
 
 They clung together, supporting each other on 
 the ground. The Rema, at some distance, stood 
 and looked at them. Uldic snored. 
 
 ' How wise Uldic is ! ' said Ivlon, laughing. ' He 
 is much wiser than either you or I.' 
 
 He tossed his curls, almost as if he were light- 
 hearted. 
 
 1 Sleep, Ascar. I am in too much pain to sleep.' 
 
 Ascar clung to him with closed eyes, but could 
 not sleep. He seemed to be still marching on the 
 endless plain. . . . And now came the tramp of 
 feet ; a band of men approached with torches. 
 Had they come to lead them to death ? Ah ! at 
 least the march was over ! . . . The footsteps 
 echoed, came close. They were in the midst of a 
 band of soldiers. The prisoners rose with weary
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI A SCAR. 183 
 
 movements to their feet. Their eyes were band- 
 aged, and they were led away. This was the last 
 march, this would be the end ! 
 
 And now ! They stood together their bandages 
 removed. Behind them were the rude stone steps 
 they had descended. Beneath them a stone had 
 been moved, and they looked down into what 
 seemed a black, unfathomable gulf. 
 
 A horror seized Ascar, and shuddered through 
 his limbs. He could almost have knelt and im- 
 plored the Rema to have mercy. But no time was 
 allowed. They released the prisoners' hands and 
 feet, and lowered them, one by one, into the 
 gulf. The turn of the Estri came first ; and, as he 
 touched the stones below, he let go the cords,. and 
 sank upon the ground. None could see him 
 in the darkness, or know that in that moment 
 the last remnant of courage had deserted him. 
 Then Uldic was near him, then Ivlon ; and 
 then with a sullen sound the stone rolled back, 
 and all light was gone from them. They 
 grasped each other. In that overwhelming in- 
 stant that involuntary grasp was the only comfort 
 left. 
 
 ' Ered ! ' cried Ascar. 
 
 The word seemed the last cry, the last effort that 
 he would make before he died. 
 
 Ivlon muttered, ' Estri Alvo/ and Uldic groaned
 
 1 84 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 heavily. They let go of each other, and sank 
 upon the ground. Then Ivlon sprang to his 
 feet with a peal of laughter which made strange 
 echoes through the darkness of the gulf. 
 
 ' Ah, see ! ' he cried. ' I am the best man after 
 all. I will crawl through this blackness, and reach 
 the end of it. Come, Uldic, Ascar. What ! you 
 will not move ! Then I will get through my adven- 
 ture by myself.' 
 
 He moved away, crawling, for he could not walk. 
 From the distance his voice was heard saying that 
 1 there was mud.' Again, still more dolefully, that 
 ' the mud was deep.' And, then, suddenly, it rang 
 out as of old : ' I have found a large stone ! ' 
 
 Uldic heaved himself in response. Ascar still 
 lay with his face upon his arms. But the voice 
 from the distance came almost joyfully, — 
 
 ' I have found food — water. They do not mean 
 to starve us ! See,' cried Ivlon, ' here are cords to 
 lower food. They mean us to live for the present 
 at any rate. And when Estri Alvo hears. . . . We 
 may find a path which will lead from this dungeon 
 to the Fair Country.' 
 
 To the Fair Country ! 
 
 The words murmured in Ascar's ears as, crouched 
 on the ground, he ate and drank with his com- 
 panions, as, the meal ended, he looked with them 
 for a dry place, and lay down at last to rest by 
 Ivlon's side. They clung to each other in the un-
 
 THE CAPTIVITY OF ESTRI ASCAR. 185 
 
 fathomable darkness. Would they ever see the 
 light of the sun again ? 
 
 ' Ivlon,' whispered Ascar, ' I am thinking of my 
 wife.' 
 
 'And I,' whispered Ivlon, 'of Estri Alvo's camp. 
 Ascar, dost thou pray to the Good Spirits ? ' 
 
 ' I do not know. Dost thou think the Good 
 Spirits ever come down here ? ' 
 
 ' I know not,' said Ivlon ; ' but we shall learn 
 here in the darkness. We shall become wiser in 
 darkness than we have ever been in daylight. 
 Ascar, this prison is cold, but we will keep each 
 other warm. The march is over. Let us sleep.' 
 
 And they slept.
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO.
 
 oi yhp TciavTa X^yovres efj-cpavl^ovaiv 6'rt irarplba eTrifyrodcri. 
 Non enim uno modo sacrificatur transgressoribus angelis.
 
 XIII. 
 
 Oh, stormy prime, so beautiful 
 With fierce delight, ecstatic pain, 
 
 Spending and being spent, no lull, 
 No pause, no count of loss or gain, 
 
 Ere with tired feet thou come to tread 
 The blood-stained field of ended wars — 
 
 Wherefore do ye spend your labour for that 
 which satisfieth not ? 
 
 We are drawing near to our first halting-place, but 
 there is one scene which we must visit first. We 
 have been in the Fair Country, and over the dreary 
 plain, with Ursan and Rudol in the camp, with 
 Envar and Maro in the Council, with Ascar in the 
 dungeon, with Ered on the Escola. But we have 
 yet to make the acquaintance of the leader with 
 whose destiny all these others are entwined, who 
 has at least made himself of so much consequence 
 that it is impossible for him to rise or fall alone. 
 Until we have looked on his face with our own eyes 
 
 189
 
 190 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 we will pronounce no judgment on his worth or 
 worthlessness. The voices of friends and of 
 enemies have spoken ; let us now see the camp 
 and the camp's master for ourselves. 
 
 It is noon, and blue sky looks down on Alvo's 
 camp. The soldiers have resigned themselves to 
 their mid-day sleep. Through all the wide space, 
 dotted everywhere with tents, there is scarcely a 
 sound to be heard, or a human being to be seen. 
 At intervals, at the outskirts where the sentinels 
 are placed, an occasional footstep tells that a 
 sentinel is changed. Unhappy is the fate of the 
 replacer if he does not reach his post in time, for 
 Maravel Alvo rules with an iron hand. 
 
 The camp is well defended. It is on a natural 
 platform, behind which rise precipitous hills, whose 
 few defiles are guarded. In front the ground drops 
 sharply to a level of smooth green turf, pleasant to 
 the eye, but in reality a dangerous marsh ; whilst 
 at the sides the safe, gentle slopes are defended 
 by stakes and ditches — the whole semi-circle be- 
 ing enclosed by one great ditch which, sweeping 
 round the marsh, joins the hills on either hand. 
 Enclosed in this manner by ditches, hills, and 
 marshes, the camp may almost be deemed impreg- 
 nable. 
 
 Within is an order characteristic of a leader 
 whose men say that ' you can tell the ditch where
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 191 
 
 he has lain by the care with which the reeds have 
 been disturbed.' In the centre, dividing the camp 
 into two parts, is the exercise-ground. Behind it, 
 on a slope that overlooks the whole camp, is the 
 tent of the Maravel. The right side of the camp 
 is devoted to the Rema. On the left are the mixed 
 tribes, and the Ninety Exiles. At the back are 
 kept stores of provisions and animals. Everything 
 is in order in each part of the space. No sounds 
 of dice can be heard, no drunken songs ; the fierce, 
 brawling camp by the Tordrade might behold its 
 contrast here. And it is even possible that a keen 
 observer, remembering the devotion of the men of 
 Ursan to their leader, might ask whether the con- 
 trast were complete in all respects. For, marvel- 
 lous as is the harmony produced, this military des- 
 potism whic savours of anxiety. 
 
 However that may be, the soldiers are quiet now 
 in their tents after a morning more pleasant and 
 excitable than usual. For a band of Karngria 
 have arrived, entering the camp that day, in the 
 company of a few stragglers from the neighbour- 
 hood. Amongst these last, who were promptly 
 discovered and dismissed, was observed a man 
 with a horrible scar on his face, whose whole 
 appearance was so unusual that two or three 
 determined to detain and question him. When 
 sought, however, he was nowhere to be found, and 
 it was supposed that he had departed with the rest.
 
 192 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 And now — the camp is asleep beneath the grey 
 hills, which rise behind it massively until their 
 outlines are framed by the blue sky. Not a cloud 
 stirs in the sky, not a leaf moves in the woods. 
 It would seem as if even the earth itself were asleep. 
 But, soft ! in the ditch below the camp we can 
 observe a figure stirring. What is its errand in the 
 midst of silence ? 
 
 It moves swiftly, noiselessly, with the motion of 
 a cat, scarcely making the branches crack, or the 
 leaves rustle, not to be seen through the bushes 
 unless any one above should take the trouble to 
 push them aside and peer down into the depth. 
 And now it has reached the point where the ditch 
 becomes a ravine, below the tents inhabited by the 
 Karngria. And still it goes onwards — then sud- 
 denly it stops, and crouches down noiselessly 
 beneath the leaves. 
 
 It has not stopped an instant too soon. There 
 is a clear space in the ravine ; and there, on a 
 fallen log, two companions are seated, pouring out 
 greeting and welcome to each other, as friends 
 who have not met for some length of time. One 
 is a Rema, with the pale grey eyes, the sharply cut 
 features of the best tribe of his race ; the other, 
 brown, irregular-faced, with dark flashing glance, 
 has the bony chin and large mouth of the Karn- 
 gria. Two good specimens of their respective 
 tribes are these, with little trace of their nations'
 
 THE CAMP OF .ALVO 193 
 
 more sinister qualities ; and, as the concealed 
 figure listens to their eager words, his face be- 
 comes dark from inward bitterness. He has no 
 companion, this man of disfigured face, who, with 
 ear to the leaves, is listening cautiously. 
 
 ' Tell me now of thy doings/ cries the Karngri, 
 for until this moment he has been pouring out his 
 own. ' Since we parted after a plunder-expedition, 
 and thou wert sent here, what has been happening 
 to thee ? ' 
 
 1 1 — have been living here/ answers the Rema, 
 indifferently. ' How long hast thou been in the 
 camp ? ' 
 
 ' Since the morning.' 
 
 * Hast thou seen him yet ? ' 
 
 ' The young leader ? Only for an instant. He 
 came out of his tent and said a few words to 
 us.' 
 
 I Didst thou not think him altered ? ' 
 
 I I had only seen him twice — once, at a council, 
 leaning on Maravel Ursan's shoulder; and once, 
 after a skirmish, when his wounds were being 
 dressed. He is as pale now as he was then.' 
 
 1 He has been ill — he is ill/ said the Rema. 
 ' And he allows himself no rest.' 
 
 The Karngri laughed and laid himself on his 
 back, that he might dip his fingers into the purple 
 cup of a flower. 
 
 1 He is not wise/ he said. 
 
 VOL. I. N
 
 194 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 But the Rema looked at him with the keen, thin- 
 lipped smile peculiar to his race. 
 
 1 My friend/ he said, ' thou shouldst learn to 
 know the camp. There are here the Gortona, the 
 Effar, and the Nira, and Alvo's own band, and 
 your countrymen, and mine. The Gortona hate 
 the Effar, the Effar and the Nira hate the Karngria, 
 the Karngria ' — he smiled—' hate the Rema, and as 
 for the Rema they hate all except themselves. 
 And each tribe is governed by its own laws, and 
 there is nothing each set of soldiers longs for so 
 much as it longs to be at the throats of all the rest.' 
 
 The Karngri sat up in surprise. 
 
 1 Then what keeps you from each other's 
 throats ? ' 
 
 * Only the young leader.' 
 
 ' Then he is a commander after all.' 
 
 ' He is a commander.' (The word signified able 
 to command.) ' I never believed it till I came to his 
 camp.' 
 
 ' But what can he do ? ' 
 
 1 How can I tell thee what he does ? I will tell 
 what he will do when he first speaks to you. He 
 will smile at you from under his long eyelashes, 
 and will whisper a few soft words in the language 
 of the Karngria.' 
 
 ' Bah, that is nothing ! Tell me of his qualities.' 
 
 ' He is the handsomest fellow in the camp,' said 
 the Rema, laughing.
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 195 
 
 I And that is nothing ! ' 
 
 I I am not sure that it is nothing, since thou wilt 
 not paint thy face after the manner of thy country- 
 men. Ah ! thou art blushing — What more can 
 I tell thee of him ? In the same instant he can be 
 a wise man and a fool. He will go out without 
 armour, and fight till he streams with blood, and 
 then almost shed tears because an insect stings 
 him.' 
 
 1 And yet thou believest in him ? ' cried the 
 Karngri, with contempt. 
 
 1 A man must believe in his leader/ 
 
 ' Thou hast not lost thy old folly yet ! Why 
 must we believe in our leaders ? ' 
 
 The Rema spoke seriously, — 
 
 1 Friend, there is no man without some qualities. 
 This man is mad, for instance, but he has fire from 
 the gods. And we must believe in our leaders as 
 we believe in the gods of our country — ' he paused 
 for an instant looking up to the blue sky. 
 
 1 Because we have found no better.' 
 
 The man under the bushes drew himself a little 
 closer. The Karngri threw an arm across the 
 knees of his friend. 
 
 1 Ah ! do not become too wise for me/ he 
 murmured. He added : ' Thou hast told of 
 the leader. What do the soldiers think of 
 him?' 
 
 1 They — they hate him, are ready to destroy
 
 196 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 him. But he is able to subdue them for the pre- 
 sent. Then he has his own band near him.' 
 
 ' A brave army ! Ninety men.' 
 
 ' They are the best soldiers in the camp.' 
 
 ' Better soldiers than the Rema ? ' 
 
 ' They are better trained.' 
 
 ' Thou canst speak against thy countrymen ? ' 
 
 ' Yes/ cried the Rema, with light in his pale 
 eyes, ' because my countrymen will be masters of 
 all in time. They can wait.' 
 
 1 And mine are impatient,' cried the Karngri. 
 But, at least, they are not false or cruel. . . . Ah, 
 forgive me, for I am so much in need of thee. . . 
 Tell me if Alvo's men love him/ 
 
 ' More than each one loves his life.' 
 
 1 And does he love them ? ' 
 
 ' He has a folly for the youngest. He will sacri- 
 fice them all for the sake of the Fair Country. . . 
 I must see to my men.' 
 
 ' Wait an instant,' cried the Karngri. ' The 
 hardest question is last. Hast thou any love for 
 him?' 
 
 The Rema paused. 
 
 1 He is a son of the Alidrah,' he muttered. ' No 
 Rema can love him.' 
 
 ' Except Ursan.' 
 
 ' Except Ursan,' said the Rema. 
 
 But his companion was not satisfied. 
 
 ' If he were not of the Alidrah ? '
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 197 
 
 Again the Rema paused, as if the question were 
 difficult. 
 
 1 I should think him,' he said at last, slowly and 
 with emphasis, ' a fool who will lead to death better 
 men than himself. Let us go.' 
 
 They rose, stumbling in the bushes, catching 
 their feet in tangled grass, so close to the unseen 
 watcher that he laid his hand on his breast. But 
 they did not touch him ; they climbed lightly up 
 through the bushes, whispering and laughing to 
 each other, and went on into the camp. As their 
 voices died away the watcher rose silently, and 
 came to stand for an instant in the clear space 
 where they had been. For that instant the sun- 
 light shone on his distorted, haggard face — then 
 he dropped on his knees, and crawled through the 
 grass again. As he proceeds with a stealthy, 
 noiseless motion, we will enter the tent of the 
 leader of whom we have heard so much. 
 
 In Alvo's tent are two men, unlike in appear- 
 ance ; a burly giant, whose great features are 
 red with passion, and a thin man with pale face 
 and dark, shining eyes. It is his voice that is 
 speaking — hard, tremulous, vibrating, and yet so 
 low that only its clearness leaves it audible. 
 
 * I know why thou art angry. It is because I 
 reproved thee before the Rema. I will reprove 
 thee again to-morrow, and will punish thee again.
 
 198 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 Thou wilt not learn the exercise that every Rema 
 knows. And I will not have my men beaten by 
 the Rema.' 
 
 ' They are beaten sometimes, Estri,' muttered 
 the giant sullenly. 
 
 ' Then my men shall suffer for it/ Alvo answered. 
 
 He turned away as he spoke, with a sigh as if 
 he were exhausted, and leaned against one of the 
 posts that supported the tent. The giant moved 
 sullenly from him ; but before he had taken many 
 steps he turned as if his passion could be restrained 
 no longer. 
 
 'Estri, dost thou know what the Rema say of us?' 
 
 He stopped, appalled by the fire in Alvo's eyes. 
 But the gleam was gone in an instant. 
 
 ' What is it ? ' asked Alvo, with a faint, hard 
 smile. ' It must be true if the Rema say it' 
 
 He looked at his soldier steadily, and his glance 
 had such compelling power that the man went 
 on speaking, although with difficulty. 
 
 ' They say, Estri, that there are no men in the 
 camp who have such hard training, such severe 
 laws as ours. They say that thou wouldst not 
 dare to impose such laws on others, but that thou 
 knowest we are afraid of thee — ' 
 
 He stopped, panting with mingled dread and 
 passion, and Alvo continued looking at him with a 
 glance as keen as the point of an unsheathed knife. 
 
 1 Go on.'
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 199 
 
 ' Estri — Estri — ' 
 
 1 Thou hast nothing more to say ? Then I will 
 speak — / — once for all, as I have never spoken to 
 thee before. When I took thee with me to win the 
 Fair Country, did I promise thee an easy life ; did 
 I promise thee wine or women, the dice that the 
 Rema love, the fire-wine of the Karngria, or soft 
 beds, or dainty hours ? Do / have an easy life, do 
 I rest by day or night, I, your chosen leader, who 
 work for you as for myself? I have kept my 
 promises ; and now my soldier comes to me, and 
 tells me that only fear keeps my own men at my 
 side.' 
 
 He turned away his face. His voice was low 
 and cold. 
 
 1 I will not punish thee ; I release thee from thy 
 vows. Go. Return to the mountains. I need not 
 speak to thee again.' 
 
 He stood still, motionless, with his face still turned 
 away. The giant looked at him, bewildered, miser- 
 able, shifting the weight of his great form from one 
 foot to the other. He moved away a few steps, he 
 came back to his place ; he stood, quivering, with 
 his eyes fixed on his master. All at once he cried, 
 ' Estri ! ' and, flinging himself upon his knees, he 
 seized the leader's arm with his hands. Great, 
 blubbering sobs burst from him as with a grasp 
 strong as iron he pressed the arm of his master to 
 his breast.
 
 200 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 Had Alvo expected that moment ? As now at 
 last he turned his face it did not display the least 
 trace of resentment ; it had broken into tremulous 
 smiles in eyes and lips which gave it the mischiev- 
 ous expression of a child. And as, without at- 
 tempting to release his captured arm, he bent down 
 and touched the giant's head with his other hand, 
 the movement was as caressing and as gentle as 
 that of a beautiful woman who grants her admirer 
 an embrace. No doubt he knew that the moment 
 for sugar-plums had come, for the young leader 
 understood his men. 
 
 ' Why, Sidric,' he murmured, in a voice gentle as 
 his face, 'so miserable? I have given thee thy 
 freedom. But thou dost not wish to leave us ; and 
 I — I am not angry any longer. It hurts me too much 
 to be angry with my men. Get up. A man must 
 not remain too long on his knees. We must learn 
 to be better children, thou and I.' 
 
 1 Sidric,' he said, more gravely, as the giant stood 
 before him, with sunken head and appearance of 
 defeat, ' believe me, it would not be to our advan- 
 tage if we relaxed the training which makes us the 
 best soldiers in the camp. We shall have full need 
 of every discipline before we are able to win the 
 Fair Country. Still — this exercise — ' 
 
 'Ah, this exercise,' moaned Sidric, with a des- 
 pair that proceeded from the lowest depths of his 
 breast ; and, indeed, his master was sufficiently
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 201 
 
 aware that this particular follower was without 
 capacity. 
 
 Alvo stood considering, whilst the giant watched 
 his bright eyes with the expression with which a 
 dog looks at its master. 
 
 1 Only a few days ago I taught a Rema,' Alvo 
 said, ' and the Rema cannot complain if I teach my 
 own men as well. To-morrow will be a hard day 
 — oh! a hard day — but I will find some time in 
 which to attend to thee. Come to my tent before 
 the dawn and wake me, and I will explain thy 
 exercise before the day begins . . . And now, go ; 
 I am tired, and must have a moment's rest ; and 
 when Osymn comes I must be alone with him.' 
 
 He laid his hands on the arm of Sidric, that he 
 might push him gently away, but still with a move- 
 ment that seemed like a caress ; and as the giant 
 slouched off slowly, awkwardly, his eyes smiled 
 from under his long eyelashes. Yet, when he was 
 left, the smile faded from his face, which changed 
 like that of an actor whose part is done, or that of 
 one who has forgotten a burden of anxiety which 
 returns as soon as he finds himself alone. With 
 dropped head, and weary lips, he stood leaning 
 against the pole, his arms hanging and his eyes 
 absorbed in thought. As the young leader waits 
 we will take advantage of the occasion to learn his 
 face and his story for ourselves.
 
 XIV. 
 
 Whate'er he did was done with so much ease, 
 In him alone 'twas natural to please. 
 
 A man so various, that he seemed to be 
 Not one, but all mankind's epitome. 
 
 A STRANGE face, on which a strange history has 
 been written, this face of the young leader, the 
 Leader Beautiful, the Maravel who, in proving 
 the presents of the gods, has learned to turn his 
 beauty into power ! So variable is this face that 
 its changes are bewildering ; and yet through all 
 changes it has steadfast qualities — a young face, 
 sorrowful, mischievous, capricious, but never desti- 
 tute of a leader's genius. Where has Alvo learnt 
 all those varying expressions, like those of a gem 
 that has been cut to many sides ; what hard fate 
 has made him so careworn in his youth, and lighted 
 his eyes with such uncertain hope ? A close 
 observer must own that they can have been no 
 easy times which have fashioned this singular jewel 
 of the Exiles, that hard probation must have trained 
 
 202
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 203 
 
 this brilliant leader, the favourite of Ursan, the 
 darling of the Gods. Leaving the young sunken 
 face, careworn and brilliant, with a leader's keen- 
 ness, a woman's loveliness, let us look on the past, 
 for that will tell us of the present, and may even 
 afford some means by which the future can be 
 judged. 
 
 This was Alvo's story. 
 
 His mother had been a slave, bought by the 
 only descendant of the chief family of the Exiles, 
 who was so much attracted by her terror and her 
 beauty that he wedded her in secret the same night 
 that he bought her. The nobleman, however, be- 
 came tired of his toy, and left his bride to depart 
 on a long excursion ; and it was during his absence 
 that the unfortunate maiden fell into the hands of 
 the Rema, who again sold her for a slave. Left 
 alone, helpless, inexperienced, threatened by the 
 worst dangers that loveliness can bring, the terri- 
 fied slave made one desperate attempt to escape to 
 her husband before her child was born. She was 
 discovered, brought back, and the rich merchant 
 who was her master, who until that moment had 
 loaded her with gifts, was seized with fury at her 
 ingratitude . . . For shame, even his officials made 
 some attempt at last to help her, but with the 
 morning, and the birth of her child, she died, leav- 
 ing it a matter of little marvel that her son should 
 be of a sickly constitution from his birth. And
 
 20 4 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 perhaps the young leader owed more than sickli- 
 ness to the circumstances which attended his en- 
 trance into the world. 
 
 For the time he was spared. One of the officials 
 of the merchant, who had pitied the mother's agony, 
 took possession of the child ; and when it was 
 granted to his keeping as a present, caused it to be 
 conveyed privately to the Exiles. These received 
 it coldly ; and its father, who in a distant country 
 at last heard news of the fate of his wife and child, 
 was so overwhelmed with despair that he would 
 not return to his home, but went out to battle with 
 the mountain tribes. Long afterwards, one who 
 saw him on the eve of a great battle, reported that 
 he looked altered, old and careworn, that he spoke 
 sorrowfully of the life which he had wasted, and of 
 the countrymen who had honoured him as their 
 chief. 
 
 1 They loved me,' he said, ' and I have done 
 no good to them. Tell my son from me that he 
 must win the Fair Country.' 
 
 He turned away after saying these few words. 
 The next day he was killed. 
 
 1 A father's last command,' say the Estria, * is 
 as binding as an oath.' It was the misfortune 
 of Alvo to be bound, even from his childhood. 
 
 * If I had no wish to regain my country,' he told 
 Ursan, 'it would not be possible to forget my 
 father's words.'
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 205 
 
 Meanwhile, his childhood had been spent 
 amongst the Exiles, who had loved his father, but 
 who had little love for him — the slave's child, 
 sickly, feeble, ready to cry if he was touched, 
 with a shrinking from pain that was almost a 
 disease. 
 
 ' I remember those days,' he said long after- 
 wards to Ursan, ' and the grey-haired men who 
 punished me to make me brave.' 
 
 They could not make him brave ; at that time 
 nothing seemed more certain than that the slave's 
 child was without noble qualities. 
 
 And then . . . there came to the place a Rema 
 merchant who was immediately struck with the 
 beauty of the boy, and, after loading him with 
 sweetmeats and rich garments, promised that if 
 he would leave the Exiles he should be treated 
 like a prince. The Exiles, who heard of these 
 promises, were furious, and placed a close watch 
 on the son of the Alvoi ; but Alvo, whose childish 
 fancy had been attracted by the gifts, escaped 
 from restraint one night, and fled to the Rema 
 tents. It was a child's choice ; but in the after 
 years the Exiles never forgot it, or forgave. 
 
 Meanwhile, punishment followed. The pretty 
 boy, once a captive, was not fed on sweetmeats 
 or treated like a prince ; on the night of his escape 
 he was sold to a rough master, and carried off, 
 weeping and struggling, to the mountains.
 
 206 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' On that day,' said Alvo, ' I learned to under- 
 stand the love of men who give sweetmeats and 
 promises.' 
 
 He disappeared, and of all those who had known 
 him there was not one who imagined that he would 
 be ever seen again. 
 
 The long winter passed, however, and some 
 travellers in the summer spoke of a bright-eyed 
 boy they had observed amongst the mountain- 
 lads, recognised by one as the same whom he had 
 once seen in the winter, crouching over a fire as 
 if the cold would kill him. This was indeed Alvo, 
 trained and educated to be a good climber and 
 an active slave, although he bore marks upon his 
 back and breast which showed with what difficulty 
 the lessons had been learned. In spite of these 
 scars, and of the winter's cold, the mountain-life 
 had been valuable. 
 
 ' I used to like to search for eggs in dangerous 
 places,' he told Ursan, ' though often it was a long 
 time before I dared to climb. I would try day 
 after day to reach some nest I chose, and each day 
 would come nearer, even if it were only by a tuft 
 of grass. And when I had some time for rest I 
 would climb as high as I dared, and lie down and 
 think of the Great Spirit, whose breath made 
 even me. I was always hungry, and covered with 
 bruises.' 
 
 ' The boy was a strange creature,' said his
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 207 
 
 master, the Old Wolf, ' tame enough in his way, 
 and yet with a fire-spirit He was so different 
 from others that one looked for him when he was 
 gone.' 
 
 The speech does not sound unkindly ; and Alvo, 
 on his part, never spoke bitterly of his old master. 
 
 ' He never called me a coward,' Alvo said. 
 
 Their parting was characteristic. The tribe to 
 which the Old Wolf belonged fell under the dis- 
 pleasure of the Rema, who issued a proclamation 
 that all its slaves were free. On a winter morning 
 the Old Wolf heard this command, but he deter- 
 mined not to speak of it till the evening, in order 
 that the skilful fingers of his young slave might 
 make for him a large net. It chanced, however, 
 that Alvo, going out in the evening to the flocks, 
 heard of his freedom from one of the mountain- 
 lads. He went back, sat down by the fire without 
 speaking, and began to untwist the net. 
 
 ' What dost thou ? ' asked the Wolf. 
 
 ' The work is mine, not thine,' said Alvo. 
 
 His master answered not a word. But when the 
 net lay on the ground, a tangled cord, and Alvo 
 silently rose, he went up to him, — 
 
 ' These clothes are mine, not thine,' he said ; and, 
 stripping him, turned him out into the cold of a 
 winter's night. 
 
 'I found a hovel at last,' said Alvo, 'and 
 wandered near it a long while, for I was
 
 208 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ashamed. But I had kept my two charms in my 
 mouth ' (two gold charms which had belonged to 
 his father and mother), ' and I went in at last, and 
 with these bought clothes and food that I might 
 be able to go down into the world. 
 
 Down into the beautiful world which held the 
 Exiles, which held the Great Plain, and beyond it 
 the Fair Country, which should now hold him, a 
 young creature full of life, full of unknown genius, 
 unsuspected powers ! The first step, however, 
 which he took in this unknown world, was one 
 which might have destroyed all life and power for 
 ever. 
 
 For, in the course of the long journey down the 
 mountain, Alvo met a band of men with long robes 
 and flowing beards, who accosted him kindly, 
 seemed impressed by his appearance, and asked 
 him many questions about himself and about his 
 race. Priests of Beauty, they called themselves ; 
 and always whilst they spoke they looked curiously 
 at him. 
 
 Alvo did not know — his inexperience had no 
 means of knowing — that amongst the worst signs 
 of those evil times were such priests as these, 
 hidden in the shelter of the mountains, where they 
 performed rites, falsely called religious. They told 
 him stories of dreams and ceremonies, of spells by 
 which demons were conquered, and the favour of
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 206 
 
 the gods was won ; and his young imagination, 
 easily kindled, dreamed of a path by which the 
 Fair Country might be gained. The men received 
 him with the utmost readiness, and quickly van- 
 ished into the mountains with their prize. In this 
 manner Alvo disappeared for the second time. 
 But of this period of his life he never spoke. 
 
 It did not last long. In the succeeding spring a 
 boy might have been seen flying over mountain- 
 paths, scarcely pausing for rest or sleep till he 
 reached a valley, and a river, down which a com- 
 pany of men were travelling. Then, whilst he 
 stood on the shore, imploring them to take him in 
 their boat, and whilst they hesitated to burden 
 themselves with a stranger, another company of 
 men came out from the woods near the river, and 
 claimed the fugitive. For since the night on 
 which Alvo had escaped from the priests they had 
 not ceased to pursue him night and day. 
 
 A conflict followed. With the wildest tears and 
 prayers Alvo clung to the merchant to whom the 
 boat belonged, promising to serve him for ever as 
 his slave if only he might be delivered from the 
 priests. The merchant was moved by the boy's 
 beauty, had pity on his terror, and, moreover, was 
 not unwilling to gain a valuable slave ; he there- 
 fore drove back the priests with blows and curses, 
 and received the fugitive into the boat. The 
 VOL. I. O
 
 210 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 priests went back, and by their influence with the 
 Rema were able to wreak a bitter vengeance on 
 the Exiles. But of this Alvo was ignorant. 
 
 He had duties to occupy him, for he was now 
 again a slave, and slavery was a hard lot to one 
 who had been free. 
 
 'My master was kind/ he told Ursan, 'and 
 taught me how to handle weapons ; but although I 
 worked all day I could not always sleep at night. 
 
 I thought that when my countrymen returned to 
 the Fair Country, I should not be with them.' 
 
 For his dream grew with him. 
 
 The good-natured merchant, meanwhile, had so 
 much liking for the boy that he would have set 
 him free if he could have borne to part with him ; 
 and, on one occasion, when Alvo had saved him 
 from a wild beast's grip, he even offered him his 
 freedom, which was refused. 
 
 1 It was not for that I risked my life,' said Alvo. 
 
 I I wanted to tell myself that I was brave.' 
 
 His young, proud nature had not been able to 
 forget the reproach of cowardice which he had 
 heard so often in his childhood. 
 
 Freedom was not long delayed. On the occa- 
 sion of his marriage, the master of Alvo granted it 
 to all his slaves ; and when, as the most valuable 
 he would have excepted Alvo, his young wife made 
 supplication for the boy.
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 211 
 
 1 1 will grant him his freedom at thy wish,' he 
 said, ' but I shall never have such a piece of mer- 
 chandise again.' 
 
 1 When shall we next see the lad ? ' she mur- 
 mured, as the young slave knelt before her. 
 
 Her husband answered, laughing, — 
 
 1 When the Exiles have returned.' 
 
 He had no knowledge that Alvo believed in that 
 return, and his careless words filled the boy's eyes 
 with tears. Alvo did not speak, however, and his 
 tears passed unnoticed. He saluted his master 
 and mistress, and departed. Once more he was 
 free, and now at last he could return and learn 
 from the exiles how to gain the Fair Country. 
 
 He did return. 
 
 1 It was at the time of sunset,' he told Ursan-. . . 
 1 1 saw a few wretched hovels, a few miserable men ; 
 and I heard them cursing the name of their young 
 Estri, who had brought on them the vengeance of 
 the Rema and the priests. And then, as I stood, 
 trembling, a man who had seen my mother recog- 
 nised me — for I have my mother's face — and they 
 all shouted at me and called me slave and coward, 
 and I was such a fool, and so sad I could not 
 answer. Then a few who had loved my father 
 saved my life, and took care of me during my sick- 
 ness, for I was sick almost to death.' 
 
 His illness, indeed, had lasting consequences, fo;
 
 212 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 it wasted the strength which the mountains had 
 given him; and its immediate effect was to produce 
 with tenfold force one of the periods of depression 
 to which he was liable. 
 
 ( And yet I had visions in those days,' he said to 
 Ursan, * and fires often seemed to dance before my 
 eyes ; and I could not tell if I were mad, or if the 
 Great Spirit spoke to me. I used to lie on the 
 ground, beneath the stars, and entreat the Great 
 Spirit to teach me not to be a fool. For in those 
 days all men scorned me, and I myself believed 
 that there was nothing in me which did not deserve 
 contempt.' 
 
 The delusion could not last long. It chanced 
 that one day at a Council some man chose to taunt 
 the young Estri with helplessness. Alvo stood up, 
 and all at once his eyes flashed. The flame-spirit 
 that was in him burned at last. 
 
 ' Are you so certain ? ' he asked. 
 
 ' Then lead us to the Alidrah. It is for you to 
 command us.' 
 
 1 Then I will command you.' 
 
 There was silence, and all men looked at the 
 Estri, and at each other. From that moment 
 the Estri knew himself. A beautiful moment but 
 a dangerous is that when such knowledge first 
 mingles with our dreams. 
 
 Alvo, however, was happy as he had never been 
 before. His wild nature had awaked, and he mis-
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 213 
 
 trusted it no longer ; although he was as conscious 
 of inexperience as of genius, and immediately 
 resolved to educate himself. He left the Exiles, 
 and joined the bands of Helos, who at that time 
 were at war with the Karngria ; whilst the Exiles, 
 once more bereaved of their chief noble, looked 
 for him, as the Wolf had done, when he was 
 gone. To Alvo, meanwhile, an important event 
 occurred. He became acquainted with the Maravel 
 of the Rema. 
 
 That was on this wise. In the company of a 
 band of youths he had gone out upon an expedi- 
 tion. They had been ordered to advance to a cer- 
 tain place, but before they reached it they were 
 surrounded by the enemy. The position was 
 perilous ; it was impossible to go forward ; and 
 the Helos accounted it a dishonour to retreat. 
 
 4 We must retreat,' said Alvo. ' Give me the 
 command, I will take the blame. 
 
 I Then you will be dishonoured/ 
 
 I I care not/ Alvo replied. 
 
 He took the command, and managed the retreat 
 with so much skill that they passed undiscovered 
 through the midst of the enemy. On their return, 
 however, they were attacked with loud reproaches, 
 and the whole shame rested on the stranger who 
 had advised them to retreat. At that moment the 
 Maravel of the Rema was near at hand, negotiat-
 
 214 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ing both with Helos and Karngria. He heard the 
 story, and immediately wrote a message. 
 
 ' Send to my camp this leader who retreats.' 
 
 The Helos were not inclined to dispute any wish 
 from Ursan ; and Alvo, expecting contempt, was 
 taken to the Leopard's camp. 
 
 Alvo never forgot that day. Through the whole 
 of a long morning he was left alone with the terrible 
 old leader, looking into the pale eyes when he 
 dared, and listening to the tones of a voice none 
 could hear without being moved. Ursan gained 
 from him the whole tale of the retreat, he was 
 even anxious to hear its minutest details ; but 
 when the story was told he did not make a single 
 comment, but remained silent, and seemed ab- 
 sorbed in thought. Then he said, ' Come, I will 
 show you to my leaders ; ' and he looked into Alvo's 
 downcast face and smiled. 
 
 Ursan's leaders remembered that day. They 
 were lying on the ground, thinking of nothing less 
 than their dreaded Maravel, when suddenly they 
 started, as they heard his voice behind them. 
 ' My friends, I bring you a young leader.' 
 
 Up they started in confusion, and saw by Ursan's 
 side a boy — for so he seemed — with slight frame 
 and drooping face, whose long, black eyelashes 
 rested on cheeks crimson with blushes. In amaze- 
 ment they were silent ; and Ursan, seeing that 
 Alvo was distressed, came closer to him and laid
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 215 
 
 an arm across his shoulders. The resentment of 
 Rudol could not be restrained. 
 
 • Ah, Maravel/ he said, ' that is a maiden ! ' 
 Alvo drew his sword at once, but Ursan took it 
 
 from his hand. 
 
 1 Pardon me/ he murmured, ' we leaders do not 
 fight ; ' and still looking at him, as if he were 
 interested : ' Come to my tent ; I have a word for 
 thee.' 
 
 He did not speak when they were together in 
 his tent ; but laid his hands on Alvo's shoulders, 
 and pierced him with his glance ; until Alvo, at 
 last unable to endure it, raised his head timidly, 
 and their eyes met. Strange eyes had the old 
 Maravel, eyes that knew ; for the first time Alvo 
 met a glance that understood. 
 
 Then he knew that there was a lack in his* life. 
 Ursan's words were its expression. 
 
 ' Art thou in need of a friend ? ' 
 
 He spoke abruptly, and sighed when he had 
 spoken. Alvo was silent. 
 
 1 We may not meet again/ Ursan said. ' Tell me 
 thy story. It shall be safe with me.' 
 
 And Alvo, unable to resist the entreaty, whis- 
 pered his story until the evening shadows fell. 
 
 Ursan listened attentively, but scarcely spoke till 
 it was ended. Then he said, — 
 
 • You wish to win the Fair Country for the Exiles?' 
 He smiled, and Alvo's heart choked him by its
 
 216 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 beating ; but he made no answer, and none seemed 
 to be expected. 
 
 That night he returned beneath the stars to the 
 Helos' camp, reproaching himself silently and bit- 
 terly. He had been frank indeed to this enemy of 
 his people, the wicked Maravel who was the tyrant 
 of the Exiles ! And what could the old leader want 
 with the unknown noble ? 
 
 1 He will make me vain that he may make a fool 
 of me/ thought Alvo. 
 
 Nevertheless it was not with reluctance that on 
 the next day he returned to Ursan's tent The 
 Maravel had sent a message to the Helos that he 
 must have the ' young leader ' in his camp. 
 
 From that time it was in the Maravel's camp 
 that Alvo lived, fighting by his side in battle, sit- 
 ting at his feet in Council, always distinguished by 
 him with special favour, and every day trained by 
 his experience. The powers of the young leader 
 developed ; but his nature, long imprisoned, re- 
 venged itself by innumerable caprices, and his 
 alternate fits of elation and depression perplexed 
 the Rema who were his companions. His mar- 
 vellous quickness, his childish eagerness, his reck- 
 less courage combined with dread of pain, made 
 talk for the camp, and exercised upon it an in- 
 describable mixture of fascination and repulsion. 
 The Rema said he ' was made of the sea-foam,' and
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 217 
 
 held him in less admiration than distrust. And 
 yet it is true that beneath these varying humours 
 there was little of real evil to be found. 
 
 That fact in itself was not the least remarkable ; 
 for evil was as life itself to Rema leaders, and the 
 horrible licence which reigned within their camps 
 was permitted and encouraged by their Maravel. 
 It was strange that the youngest leader, with his 
 restless, brilliant nature, should preserve himself 
 from an universal taint ; but various causes of 
 nature and circumstance united from the begin- 
 ning to protect him. Some safety Alvo owed to 
 the clear sight of his ambition ; still more to the 
 remembrance of his sojourn with the priests ; and 
 yet more to the promises exacted from him by 
 some noble women who once tended him when he 
 was ill. He kept those promises, for, beneath its 
 capricious surface, his nature had stuff which was 
 tenacious. And, after all, the vision of the Fair 
 Country held him captive: he did not dream of 
 loving women, but of commanding men. 
 
 A dream that seemed vain ! Alvo was still in 
 Ursan's camp, when there came suddenly strange 
 news of the Exiles — to the effect that, worn-out, 
 oppressed, and in despair, they were abandoning 
 the hope of the Alidrah. They would unite them- 
 selves with the long-haired Senas, and no longer 
 assume to be sons of the Fair Country. A treaty
 
 218 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 to this effect was in course of preparation, when 
 one morning Alvo burst in upon the Council. 
 
 He told Ursan afterwards that he was ' so mad 
 with distress and pain he could not be certain 
 what he said or did.' But, in fact, the speech 
 that he poured out to the Exiles overwhelmed all 
 opposition for the moment. Wild as it was, full 
 of indefinite promises, its force and power awed 
 them and kept them still. As men who are 
 stunned, they looked at his burning eyes. Were 
 the gods indeed speaking through the Estri's 
 mouth ? 
 
 1 1 know it,' Alvo cried. ' I learned it on the 
 mountains. The Great Spirit taught me there ! 
 We may return to our country ! The Gods will 
 lead us. We need no other leader. I am not 
 strong as other men ; I am weak in body and full 
 of folly, and yet, if you were all to desert me, and 
 I — I — I only were to fight, the Gods could still 
 give us the Alidrah ! ' 
 
 He sat down, pale, trembling, and there was a 
 long silence. And then one of the chiefs of the 
 Senas rose. 
 
 ' Ah ! ah ! ' he said, ' are you going to believe in 
 him, the slave Estri, who is so much afraid of 
 pain ? ' 
 
 He twisted his features, and some of the Exiles 
 laughed. Alvo rose, quivering, with his eyes full 
 of fire. Then the Sena cried out, —
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 219 
 
 1 He — he — he is his mother's son ! ' 
 
 Alvo had been lately wounded, was excited 
 beyond himself. He opened his lips, but no words 
 came from them. In the midst of opposition he 
 stood there, powerless. A deadly faintness over- 
 whelmed him. He sat down and covered his face 
 with his hands. 
 
 Then the consultation proceeded as before, and 
 the Senas pressed the Exiles for an immediate 
 decision : and the Exiles, hesitating, continually 
 turned their eyes to the slim fingers clenched over 
 a hidden face. Much pressed, and with many 
 doubts, they almost agreed at last. 
 
 * But you will allow us some time before we sign 
 the treaty ? ' 
 
 * How much time do you want ? ' 
 
 The last moment had come. Alvo rose, and 
 spoke in a low, vibrating voice, which none present 
 ever forgot. 
 
 ' Give me two years, and I will win the Fair 
 Country.' 
 
 Without waiting for an answer he strode from 
 the council-room, and sought a dark wood, where 
 he lay on the ground all night. The next morning 
 he rode back to the camp, and before the sun had 
 set had gained the name of Ursan's son. . . . 
 
 Doubtless at the moment the step seemed 
 natural — and yet — Alvo, Alvo, thou didst not 
 wait long for the assistance of the Gods !
 
 220 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 Immediate results were successful. The com- 
 munity of Exiles received with frenzy the news of 
 the alliance, but in spite of their fury they appeared 
 to be content to delay the signing of the treaty for 
 a while. And of those who were scattered amongst 
 the mountain tribes, there were some who were 
 roused to greater sympathy ; for before many days 
 had passed, there came to Alvo a band of men 
 whom the rough mountain-life had trained. Many 
 of these had the appearance of splendid soldiers, 
 but the most notable was their chief — a tall, dark 
 man who knelt down at the Estri's feet, and vowed 
 to serve him in life and death. The name of this 
 leader was Osmyn ; and from that moment he 
 became the Estri's right hand and counsellor. 
 
 More than a hundred came, and of these Alvo 
 chose eighty-nine, because the number Ninety 
 signified an unbroken bond. He had intended 
 to be himself the ninetieth, and for some while 
 resisted further offers ; until, struck by the appear- 
 ance of a handsome lad, he admitted him, and 
 made him his shield-bearer. For this youth, who 
 was the youngest of the band, he continued to 
 display unusual affection. In this manner the 
 1 Ninety ' was formed ; and Alvo gained a troop of 
 soldiers devoted to his service. 
 
 And now — has not the young leader all that 
 heart can wish ? He is distinguished as a Maravel,
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 221 
 
 unrivalled in the use of weapons ; he has earned 
 for himself wide-reaching name and fame ; is the 
 favourite of Ursan, on his way to the Fair Country. 
 And yet the young face, with its worn outlines, 
 haunted eyes, conveys no expression less than 
 that of satisfaction — in spite of its continual flashes 
 into mirth, it remains the face of a troubled, care- 
 worn man. Ah, triumphant leader,Ursan's favourite, 
 even to you life has not been merciful ! 
 
 ' There comes a time in the life of man ' (this is a 
 legend of the Alidrah) ' when the Nittrah ' (fiends) 
 * offer him a golden chain. If he accept it they drag 
 him by it to the heights, and their gift leads to 
 honour. But it is a chain! 
 
 Let us return to Alvo's tent. 
 
 .••••••.a. 
 
 Left to himself, Alvo continued to lean against 
 the pole, with his head drooping and his arms 
 hanging down, an attitude which would have 
 amazed his followers, and was only conceded to 
 his solitude. Yet, once assumed, it was not easily 
 to be changed ; and he did not raise his head when 
 a familiar step approached. As the heavy curtain 
 dropped behind the new-comer he stood still, 
 struck by dismay and bewilderment. 
 
 ' Estri, you are tired ! ' 
 
 ' I have no time to be tired.' 
 
 The slightest complaint was unusual from Alvo.
 
 222 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 For another moment his companion seemed be- 
 wildered, standing with his eyes fixed on his 
 master's face. Then, hastily advancing, he laid 
 hands on his master, lifted him from the ground 
 without any difficulty ; and, in this manner, bearing 
 him across the tent, laid him down on a mattress, 
 and piled cushions beneath his head. The action 
 was as rough as it was tender, but Alvo offered no 
 opposition ; for a moment he remained impassive, 
 then fell into peals of laughter. 
 
 1 How darest thou, Osmyn ? ' he cried. ' Give 
 me my sword. How darest thou lay rebellious 
 hands upon thy leader ? ' 
 
 I Estri, lie down, keep still,' muttered Osmyn, 
 in the reproving tones of a parent to a naughty 
 child. 
 
 I I never rest before noon.' 
 
 1 That is folly, Estri. It would have been better 
 if thou hadst rested all the morning.' 
 
 ' How could I rest ? I have been quarrelling 
 with Sidric. Osmyn, I have promised to teach 
 him his exercise.' 
 
 The face of Osmyn expressed his opinion. 
 Alvo clasped his hands as if he were pleading for 
 his life. 
 
 ' Ah, Osmyn, be kind ! Do not be angry with 
 me. It is now only two days since I taught a 
 Rema.' 
 
 ' I heard of that, Estri,' said Osmyn. ' I did not
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 223 
 
 expect it — even from thee. Estri, must thou direct 
 every action in the camp ? ' 
 
 'I am its leader,' muttered Alvo, with a pout. 
 But he added immediately, with his hands still 
 more tightly clasped, ' Osmyn, forgive me, I will 
 never teach another.' 
 
 The promise was not worthless, for it was one of 
 the young leader's peculiar charms that, whenever 
 it was possible, he always yielded to advice. But 
 the stern, grave face watching him did not relent ; 
 for, except by silence, Osmyn never showed ap- 
 proval. 
 
 ' Come and sit down by me/ Alvo cried out 
 gaily, tossing together cushions with a skilful hand. 
 
 His counsellor sat down on them in the most 
 upright manner, and turned a grave face to his 
 master, who immediately replied, — 
 
 1 Well, the news of the camp ! Ah ! there is 
 something wrong. Go on. I can bear it/ 
 
 He made a child's grimace. 
 
 ' Estri/ said Osmyn, speaking with reluctance, 
 'those two Gortona leaders have been drunk again.' 
 
 Alvo raised himself. He did not now look like 
 a child. 
 
 1 Didst thou remind them of my law ? ' he asked. 
 
 \ I did, Estri; and they said they would not obey 
 it.' 
 
 'Then tell them/ said Alvo, still more quietly, 
 that leaders who disobey me will be hanged.'
 
 224 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' I did tell them, Estri ; and they answered that 
 the Gortona have no executioners.' 
 
 'Tell them,' said Alvo, 'that I will take the 
 office on myself.' 
 
 Osmyn gave an involuntary glance to the supple 
 ringers, loosely clasped. Alvo, meanwhile, ap- 
 peared to be pondering. 
 
 1 Bring them at some time to my tent to-mor- 
 row. Not to be hanged,' he cried, with peals of 
 laughter, observing the bewilderment of his com- 
 panion. 
 
 ' No. I will talk to them, scold them, coax 
 them, kiss them. I can often prevail.' 
 
 Osmyn again was silent. 
 
 ' At what time shall they come ? ' Alvo asked. 
 ' I shall be at work all day. And I have a Council 
 to-night, and have promised to rise at dawn. Ah, 
 they shall come to supper in my tent, my supper 
 will be enough punishment for them ! Next time 
 they shall be hanged. And, now, tell me all the 
 rest.' 
 
 He leaned his head on his hand, and turned up 
 his face to hear. 
 
 Osmyn gave his report, and then Alvo spoke in 
 turn, pouring out directions with inconceivable 
 rapidity. No man but Osmyn could have listened 
 to so many words, or remembered them if he had 
 heard, or acted on them if he had remembered ; 
 but Alvo had learned to rely upon the follower
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 225 
 
 who was habitually his right hand in the camp. 
 Whilst he spoke his whole face was eager with 
 the effort, but it relaxed into fatigue as soon as he 
 had done. 
 
 • Osmyn, thou art tired/ he said, leaning on his 
 cushions. ' I wish thou couldst rest.' 
 
 ' That is folly, Estri,' said Osmyn. ' If I am 
 tired it is of no consequence to the army. Thou 
 art its leader, and shouldst take care of thyself.' 
 
 ' Still rest,' murmured Alvo, in a caressing tone, 
 with his face turned upwards towards his com- 
 panion. 
 
 It is possible that Osmyn valued at its worth 
 this anxiety from the man who had just loaded 
 him with duties. But he loved his master. 
 
 I Ah, Estri/ he cried to him. ' Sleep now. 
 Take a little rest. Be wise — for once.' 
 
 Alvo gave a swift, laughing glance ; and then 
 let his head sink, and his eyes droop luxuriously — 
 the drooping eyes and smiles playing round his 
 mouth giving his face an inexpressible look of fleet- 
 ing beauty. The stern glance of Osmyn rested on it 
 for a moment ; his master could not see that 
 expression of anxiety and sorrow. 
 
 I I give thee farewell, Estri/ he said in his grim 
 voice. 
 
 1 Live in health/ cried Alvo, with a merry 
 intonation. 
 
 He had raised his head for the parting word and 
 VOL. 1. p
 
 226 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 smile, but he let it fall again immediately ; and as 
 the curtain dropped behind his follower his breath 
 came and went like that of a sleeping child. Danger 
 was near him — in the camp — beyond the camp — 
 but still, for once he would rest — he would work 
 when the heat was over. 
 
 Outside, the camp wakes from its noon-tide 
 sleep ; the watcher is still lingering in the ravine ; 
 the men yawn and stretch themselves ; Osmyn goes 
 about his duties ; in the intense light the woods 
 look black and ragged ; a glare of blue sky is over 
 all. 
 
 I
 
 XV. 
 
 Now came still evening on, and twilight grey 
 Had in her sober livery all things clad. 
 
 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and 
 dark night . . . 
 
 Evening has come. The camp, which has been 
 noisy, is sinking now into its second, briefer silence ; 
 for there is always an interval of rest between sun- 
 set and the lighting of the torches. The shadow 
 of night has crept into the sky ; the first stars 
 shine ; the hills appear dark, gigantic ; a cold air 
 stirs the tent-curtains, all colours fade, and the 
 woods become indistinct. 
 
 1 Evening is the time for meditation/ say the 
 sages of the Alidrah. On what matters does the 
 camp meditate during its interval of rest ? 
 
 The Rema, disdaining sleep, are lounging in 
 sullen groups, whispering to each other tales against 
 their leader. He has not been near them to play 
 the spy to-day ; he pretends to be ill, but he shall 
 not delay the Council ! They will soon disperse 
 
 227
 
 228 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 to scatter these thoughts through the camp, where 
 the Rema never fail to be ministers of evil. 
 
 For the moment, however, the camp is occupied, 
 for on the exercise ground a slight stir is visible — 
 a few torches are lit there, a dark group of men 
 has gathered, and from all sides of the camp eyes 
 are turned towards the place. The dark group of 
 figures belong to Alvo's men, and others of his 
 band are hastening to the spot. To all the Ninety 
 this is the most pleasant time, the best-loved of 
 the occupations of the day. The great Ilva — the 
 largest of its giants — marshals them with his 
 bronzed, uplifted arms. 
 
 Osmyn comes up, whispers a few words to Ilva r 
 and goes on. The whisper spreads that Alvo will 
 not leave his tent this evening. There is a groan 
 of disappointment. 
 
 And now they are all arranged in martial order, 
 grouped on the exercise ground, not far from their 
 leader's tent. That tent is behind them on a rising 
 ground, and at its side cluster a group of thorn- 
 bushes. From these there looks out now a wild 
 peering face, concealed by the leaves and the even- 
 ing shadows. It is the man with the scar, and as 
 he watches attentively, he keeps his hand always 
 upon his breast. But he has no need to draw any 
 hidden weapon, for his presence is not suspected by 
 the soldiers. 
 
 They are too much occupied. Through the
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 229 
 
 whole extent of the camp there is a general stir of 
 expectation ; dark faces peep out of tents, dark 
 figures cluster ; even the Rema have for the present 
 ceased to whisper. The soldiers on the exercise 
 ground are motionless, with eyes fixed on Ilva, who 
 swells with importance and delight. . . . And now 
 there is silence. It is for this moment Ilva has 
 waited. He lifts up his great dark arm towards the 
 sky. 
 
 The stillness of the summer evening is broken by 
 four voices, so absolutely together that the four 
 sounds are one. 
 
 What is this? — a wild, dreary chant, without 
 melody or spirit — dull, monotonous ; was it for this 
 the camp was waiting ? The low, deep voices are 
 restrained almost to a murmur ; with perfect train- 
 ing they rise and fall together. This is a twilight 
 prayer — the prayer to the Great Spirit, which is 
 chanted at night in the homes of the Fair Country. 
 The deep vibrations become slower and more sad, 
 the echoes lower. The last thrill has died away. 
 And now ! the air is filled with a burst of melody, 
 the seventy-two voices have joined in the Exiles' 
 Song. 
 
 The Exiles' Song ! Indescribable is the very 
 rush of sound, which without an effort fills the 
 camp from end to end, sweeping beyond it to the 
 silent woods, to the hill-sides which give back its 
 echoes to the sky. Suffering is here, and triump h
 
 230 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 the cry of hardship and oppression, almost lost in 
 the glory of the victory — for sorrow will be over, 
 the victory be won, the melody breaks into the 
 triumph of the chorus, — 
 
 ' We will return to our country.' 
 
 A rush of sound comes at this instant from the 
 left, the Karngria to a man have all joined in the 
 chorus ; for, words or no words, and meaning or 
 no meaning, it is impossible to hear without some 
 attempt to sing ! Their deep-toned voices peal 
 out like mighty bells — others, too, are assisting with 
 more or less of harmony — the Rema alone, clustered 
 in uneven groups, continue silent and scornful, 
 but attentive. This is the song without a birth, 
 without an author, the song that is the very voice 
 of banishment ; wild, sorrowful, with outcries in 
 rudest rhythm, but possessed with triumph — We are 
 returning to our country ! Still firmer are the 
 voices, strong with coming victory, which lifts them 
 on the waves of sound towards the sky. 
 
 Storm-clouds drift over us ; 
 
 The waves of the sea are near us ; 
 
 Our enemies rejoice ; 
 The demons laugh at us ; 
 The night is dark and cold ; 
 
 The path is hard to find ; 
 Yet we will return to our country 
 Darkly frown the storm-clouds o'er us ; 
 
 Near are sorrow, want, and pain ; 
 What care we what lies before us ?
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 231 
 
 We shall see our land again. 
 We will return to our country. 
 We will return — we will return — to our country. 
 
 The air is full of echoes, but the arm of Ilva sinks. 
 The Song of the Exiles is over. 
 
 For an instant there is silence. The extraor- 
 dinary excitement is succeeded by a sensation of 
 lassitude, broken by the chattering voices of the 
 Karngria, who are delighted with this evening 
 ceremony. A few of the Rema have for the first 
 time joined in the chorus, and this spreads discon- 
 tent amongst the leaders of the Rema ; they sneer; 
 Alvo's men become angry, and Ilva walks away in 
 a rage. If Alvo were present he would be in the 
 midst of the sullen ranks, and might compel even 
 from the Rema an instant's graciousness ; but 'this 
 ill-assorted camp, full of seething jealousies, will 
 yield to no touch less potent than his own. The 
 magic of the music was for an instant powerful ; 
 but it is over — we have not yet gained our country ! 
 
 Has he gained his desire, the man behind the 
 bushes, lying now with his hands clenched, and his 
 arms pressed upon his ears — or have the familiar 
 chant and the unfamiliar chorus pierced him, as 
 music has power to pierce ? As he raises his face at 
 last, it is hard, and livid. On him also the music's 
 influence has been present, and has passed. Still 
 crawling, a noiseless though a wriggling shadow, 
 he draws himself slowly towards Alvo's tent.
 
 232 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 A glimmer shines from it, distinct in the night's 
 darkness. He has travelled towards this moment 
 — it has come. 
 
 The light between the folds is caused by Alvo's 
 lamp. Alvo is alone in his tent, has been alone 
 since Osmyn left him — an unusual circumstance, 
 but he has felt the necessity of preparation for the 
 approaching Council ! During the afternoon he 
 has prepared despatches, studied laws, perfected 
 himself in languages and dialects, and written a 
 long letter to a savage king in the hieroglyphics of 
 the savages. The slow task is over, and he can 
 allow himself some rest before evening brings the 
 torches and the Council ; but his face darkens when, 
 as he lifts his head, he catches the sounds of anger 
 from the camp. 
 
 1 Never an instant's peace by day or night ! How 
 can I rest in such a camp as this ? ' 
 
 Ah, how can he rest — condemned by Ursan's 
 order to remain stationary instead of leading his 
 troops to battle, to struggle day by day with the 
 contentions of those troops, waiting always for the 
 money which the Maravel delays ? A hard look 
 is in Alvo's face, a strange glitter in his eyes, 
 through his clenched teeth his breath comes 
 angrily ; and then his face softens and his lips 
 relax, as with the touch of old remembrance. 
 
 ' He has never refused me anything that I asked 
 him face to face.'
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 233 
 
 A wild idea crosses his mind. What if he left his 
 camp this night, and riding day and night to the 
 other camp by the Tordrade, should fling himself on 
 his knees before the Maravel of the Rema, and im- 
 plore his father to deal with him openly ? For one 
 moment his eyes are lit with sudden hope ; but for 
 a moment only, as the next thought recalls his 
 camp — the seething camp, whose perpetual rebel- 
 lions refuse to be curbed by any other hand. No, 
 he must wait — he and his men must wait for some 
 final decision from the old Maravel. And, mean- 
 while, the senses of Alvo are too keen for him to 
 be unconscious of approaching danger. Only this 
 morning he has sent a bitter message — a message 
 which may draw the lightning down at last ! 
 
 1 The Leopard sends to me his most gracious 
 words — the Leopard is always at his softest when 
 he is about to spring. He knows that the Rema 
 conspire, that the mountain-tribes are insolent, that 
 this delay gives time for preparation in the Alidrah 
 — it is for these reasons that he leaves me here, 
 powerless, that every hope may decay until he has 
 punished me enough ! And then he writes to me 
 words as if he loved me ! ' but once more the lines 
 of Alvo's face relax. ' He has never refused me any- 
 thing that I asked him face to face.' 
 
 Ah, what is the use of fears? he will let himself 
 dream for a while, and that he may dream he 
 presses his palms against his ears — he is in the tent
 
 234 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 of the Maravel of the Rema, sitting at his feet 
 during a midnight council — no, he is upon a lonely 
 mountain-path with only yellow-haired Ivlon at 
 his side, the Fair Country is won, and he has given 
 up his power that at last, at last he may be able to 
 please himself — he is lying beneath apple-boughs, 
 and close to him stands a slender maiden, looking 
 down with serious eyes. His palms press more 
 closely upon the delicate ears which even in sleep 
 can be keen to the slightest sound. They are 
 closed from duty, or else they might have warned 
 him of the presence of an intruder in his tent. For 
 already between the outer and inner curtains stands 
 the watcher with his hand on the weapon at his 
 breast. The last moment has come, in another 
 instant he will be face to face with the terror of the 
 Alidrah. 
 
 'Quick — quick!' whispers a voice at the watcher's 
 heart. ' Do not wait — do not stay to think — it will 
 be over in a moment' With a noiseless movement 
 he draws the weapon from his breast. 'Quick — 
 quick,' cries the voice; 'if you delay it will be too late.' 
 
 His hand is on the curtain. There is no sound 
 to be heard. Yes, there is the sound of a man's 
 quiet breathing. His face becomes ghastly. He 
 feels the edge of the weapon. His lips sneer — 
 ' And now, look to yourself, young leader.' 
 
 He moves the curtain. He is moving in a dream. 
 He can see the still lamp-light, and the crouching
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 235 
 
 figure. His weapon is in his hand : he need not 
 strike more than once. Now ! . . . A strong grasp 
 seizes him, and he is dragged back from the tent. 
 
 ' Aha ! Who are you who come to the tent of 
 our little leader ? I was watching you — I, Sidric ! 
 I knew your ugly face. So you think we do not 
 take care of him, our little leader ? ' 
 
 Alvo gets up hastily, and overturns the lamp. 
 The cries of Sidric summon others to his assistance. 
 For, stunned during the first instant, and deprived 
 during that instant of his weapon, the would-be 
 murderer is now fighting for his life. And so 
 active is he that the whole strength of the giant is 
 barely sufficient to detain him in his grasp. 
 
 But the camp has been alarmed. Men are rush- 
 ing to the spot. There is a confused clamour of 
 voices and footsteps. Torches are lit hastily, 
 questions pour from every side, there is a general 
 sensation of terror and insecurity. What has 
 happened? Is the Estri hurt? Where is the 
 man ? Where is the Estri ? The questions rush 
 upon each other. From the distance come the 
 voices of sentinels, imploring to be told what has 
 occurred. Meanwhile, one torch after another is 
 lit, until the camp, so dark before, appears in a 
 blaze of light. 
 
 And the murderer? 
 
 It is a wonder that he is alive, for he has been 
 struggling against a multitude ; but, beaten down,
 
 236 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 trodden on continually, he has risen, as with a 
 demon's strength, to strive again. At last, how- 
 ever, he has been raised by many hands from the 
 ground, and has been bound, eyes, hands and feet, 
 and left in the strong grasp of Osmyn until his 
 doom shall be pronounced. To him the struggle 
 has been the bewilderment of fever ; it has been a 
 clamour of voices, the oppression of a nightmare ; 
 and now, wounded, panting, almost unconscious, he 
 leans against Osmyn that he may rest before his 
 doom. When the last moment comes, and it can- 
 not be long delayed, to what sort of country will 
 this man return ? 
 
 He feels no remorse, no fear, no disappointment, 
 only one wish, craving as the thirst of the dying. 
 If he could look for an instant on the terror of the 
 Alidrah, if he could see him, or even hear his voice! 
 He listens eagerly, but in the multitude of sounds 
 the tones of the leader are not to be distinguished. 
 And now and then even these sounds become in- 
 distinct, and he would fall if he did not cling to 
 Osmyn. The grasp of Osmyn is not rough like 
 that of others, but it is stern, there is no pity in it. 
 
 And now he has been taken from Osmyn, and 
 they are dragging him away. The air of the night 
 is cold to his wounded shoulders. They will kill 
 him now, and then he will never see. . . . They 
 are standing still. What will they do with him ? 
 
 1 Estri/ cries an eager voice, i turn round and look.'
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 237 
 
 A sudden and complete silence falls upon the 
 camp. Through that silence the captive hears a 
 voice. 
 
 1 He is young.' 
 
 The words, half-surprised, half-pitying, have a 
 strange effect on the man of whom they are spoken. 
 He puts out his bound hands wildly, as if he would 
 grasp the speaker, then everything sinks. . . . 
 
 I He faints,' Alvo says. ' Take him to my tent 
 and revive him, for I must speak with him before 
 he dies.' 
 
 He is carried away. 
 
 And now Alvo stands before his tent, looking 
 down upon multitudes. The last instants have 
 been difficult, for he has been embraced, congratu- 
 lated, belaboured with questions, grasped by many 
 hands. It seems impossible for his soldiers to be- 
 lieve in his safety until they have subjected him to 
 treatment rough enough to endanger it. He has 
 rescued himself at last from those clinging arms, 
 and now stands on the slope before his tent that 
 all may see him. A man behind him holds a torch 
 whose glow is lurid. Alvo appears somewhat pale 
 and agitated. 
 
 In the camp dark suspicions are floating. 
 
 I I do not like this attempt,' whispers the oldest 
 commander of the Rema'to the young Rema whom 
 we know. ' There are many here who hate him ; 
 I trust — none of our men — '
 
 238 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' If I could believe as much of any one of mine, 
 I would kill him with my own hands.' 
 
 Alvo looks down on the multitude. Perhaps 
 these suspicions have a voice for him as well. His 
 face is unusually thoughtful and absorbed. He has 
 taken a gold charm from his breast, and presses it. 
 
 1 So thou art not killed yet, Estri,' cries the jovial, 
 delighted Ilva. 
 
 Alvo answers, — 
 
 ' It was not time. 
 
 His own words sound ominous. He must shake 
 off this black mood, it is the moment for gaiety. 
 No man is more used to control his moods than 
 Alvo ; with the thought comes the smile that 
 floods his dark eyes with light. The young 
 Karngri, standing below, looks at him with ad- 
 miration. In spite of himself he is attracted by 
 his leader. 
 
 ' Art thou certain thou art not hurt, Maravel ? ' 
 he asks. 
 
 Alvo turns to him a quick, penetrating glance. 
 It rests on the open face with relief. 
 
 c Ah, Prince,' says Alvo softly, in the language of 
 the Karngria, ' I had not a moment in which to 
 speak to thee this morning. We must know more 
 of each other.' 
 
 The Karngri blushes with satisfaction, but his 
 friend's voice is at his ear. 
 
 < I told thee ! '
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 239 
 
 Alvo's ears are keen for whispers. 
 
 1 What didst thou tell him ? ' 
 
 The Rema blushes in his turn. But he has a 
 spice of his nation's insolence. 
 
 ' Maravel, I told him that thou wouldst speak to 
 him in the Karngri language.' 
 
 Alvo bites his lips, but only says as he turns 
 away, — 
 
 1 Until thou canst whisper lower, thou wilt not 
 make a conspirator.' 
 
 1 After all,' mutters the Karngri, ' his face is 
 wonderful.' 
 
 1 Bah ! ' replies the other, 'he is a man with a 
 woman's tricks.' 
 
 These also turn away, but the multitude still 
 lingers. Alvo talks apart with Osmyn. 
 
 1 The man is in my tent ? ' 
 
 'Yes, Estri.' 
 
 ' Poor wretch, he must die before the morning. 
 Tell the soldiers, and send them away. I am 
 weary of the noise.' 
 
 But although Alvo is weary of the noise he goes 
 round among the troops, dispensing the gracious 
 words that are valuable from a leader. Even now, 
 however (his graciousness being rarely perfect), 
 there is a passage-at-arms between him and the 
 leader of the Rema. 
 
 ' We must thank the Akbare,' cries the honest, 
 delighted Ilva.
 
 240 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' Truly,' answers the old chief of the Rema, ' since 
 they have preserved so wise a leader. Yet the 
 sages say life is more dangerous than death.' 
 
 1 They mean when a man has secret enemies/ 
 murmurs Alvo. ' But I have so many friends.' 
 
 He glances at the whispering groups of Rema, 
 and moves away. 
 
 In a few minutes he is standing before his tent, 
 alone with Sidric. Beneath them are sounds of 
 voices from the camp ; but here, under the great 
 hills, all is silence. 
 
 ' Estri, the Rema did not like your words.' 
 
 ' I regret them,' sighs Alvo. ' I speak too hastily. 
 And I have never even thanked you, my faithful 
 Sidric' 
 
 c You never need, Estri. Thank the gods. They 
 have saved you for us.' 
 
 Alvo looks at him with sadness in his glance. 
 
 ' I thank the gods, Sidric. Ah, I hope I shall 
 not live to make you all wish that I had died ! Go 
 and sleep now, Sidric. Come to my tent at dawn.' 
 
 And they separate. 
 
 Meanwhile, Olbri had been waiting in Alvo's tent, 
 bound to the post on which the leader had leaned 
 that morning. It was evident that he had reached 
 the crisis of his fate. What were his feelings ? 
 
 He had failed to commit a murder, he knew 
 himself about to die, and it might be supposed 
 that he would be oppressed. But, in truth, he was
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 241 
 
 not, he was possessed with the strangest ease, 
 almost surprised at his own placidity. Death 
 could not be worse than life ; and now that he 
 had failed in his intention, he was not sure that he 
 would have been glad to have succeeded. At last 
 — at last — he was beneath even the reach of pain. 
 
 ' I will leave it to the birds to find something 
 good in me.' 
 
 Alvo entered. 
 
 Olbri had heard his voice outside, although he 
 was not able to distinguish words. Already he 
 knew it — rapid, low, distinct, with a vibration like 
 the ring of metal. He had wished to see the young 
 leader, and though that wish itself was dull, it yet 
 made him turn his head towards the entrance. But 
 the tent was dark, and he could distinguish nothing. 
 Alvo passed by him and raised the fallen lamp. 
 
 Seated on his mattress, he trimmed it, as if he 
 had no other thought, although he must have been 
 aware of the presence of the prisoner. Olbri could 
 not but look down on the stooping figure, upon the 
 fingers playing with the flame. 
 
 ' They move well and quickly,' he thought, with 
 a sensation of interest unworthy of a man beneath 
 the reach of pain. 
 
 But now Alvo rose, hung the lamp upon a hook, 
 and turned quietly towards the prisoner. So for 
 the first time they stood face to face — the son of 
 the sorcerer and the sorcerer. 
 
 VOL. 1. Q
 
 242 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 The first glance tells little. Alvo saw a scar ; 
 Olbri a face in which were gleaming eyes. Some- 
 thing scornful, inquiring, in the glance of those 
 dark eyes, produced a faint feeling of opposition 
 in his breast. 
 
 1 He means to question me, but I will tell him 
 nothing. I will not say another word until I die. 
 My life, at any rate, has made silence easy. I will 
 die even more silently than I have lived.' 
 
 Still Alvo did not speak. 
 
 1 So this is the wizard,' Olbri thought, ' a man 
 whose forehead is lost in maiden's curls. I need 
 not have come so far to look at him, we have 
 pretty fops even in the Fair Country. . . . But this 
 one is clever . . .' he began to feel uneasy beneath 
 the magnetism of the leader's eyes. 
 
 ■ Art thou hurt ? ' asked Alvo gently. 
 
 He had already become aware that this man 
 with the horrible scar was no common criminal. 
 There was a mixture of disdain and compassion 
 in his tone ; Olbri's eyes resented the scorn, and 
 flung the compassion away. He pushed his face 
 forward insolently, remembering his hideous scar. 
 Alvo smiled slightly, without drawing back. 
 
 1 A strange mark,' he said, looking at it criti- 
 cally ; and, putting out two careless fingers, he 
 drew them lightly down the scar. 
 
 The touch was successful, Olbri could not pre- 
 serve composure ; angry blood rushed to his fore-
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 243 
 
 head, tears of humiliation to his eyes. Alvo looked 
 at him curiously, and then said, — 
 
 1 Forgive me.' 
 
 He already regretted his experiment. Olbri, 
 ashamed, resolute, muttered to himself, — 
 
 ' He may make me weep, but he shall not make 
 me speak.' 
 
 The lamp shone on the two faces, the leader 
 and the criminal, as different as if they had been 
 some result of contrast. 
 
 Alvo had determined that he would not leave 
 this man until he had forced from him an answer 
 he required. 
 
 Olbri stood before him, his hands bound be- 
 hind his back, his clothes almost torn away from 
 breast and shoulders, his face drawn, distorted, his 
 hair long and tangled, the brutal aspect of the de- 
 tected murderer. No easy task would it be to 
 overcome him, but the young leader was used to 
 dubious battles. His voice, when he broke the 
 silence, had the sound of a resolve, but it retained 
 even more than its usual gentleness. 
 
 ' You must die before the morning . . . the 
 soldiers will have told you . . . but first there are 
 some questions that I wish you to answer. It will 
 not injure you to answer them, ... I wish to 
 save you from torture, if possible.' 
 
 Alvo looked, and saw that this gentle hint of 
 torture had at once steeled the prisoner's nerves ;
 
 244 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 but he was not discouraged ; on the contrary, he 
 was relieved. He preferred to deal with a man 
 who was not a coward. He began his questions, 
 but he asked them carelessly, as if he were in- 
 different whether he were answered. 
 
 ' Art thou from the Alidrah ? ' 
 
 He waited a moment, then went on, scarcely 
 pausing between each question that he asked. 
 
 6 Thy name ? Thy rank ? For what reason 
 didst thou wish to kill me? How wert thou able 
 to enter the camp ? ' 
 
 He paused ; and Olbri, not understanding his 
 intention, turned away his face as if the bright eyes 
 could force answers. This time Alvo waited longer 
 and when he spoke it was evident that he spoke 
 with earnestness. 
 
 ' Thou dost not answer ? Well, it may be that 
 thou art right. These questions concern only thy- 
 self . . . But I have one more to ask.' 
 
 His face seemed to become hard and dark, but 
 there was a doubtful light upon it. The change in 
 his voice, however, was not to be mistaken. 
 
 ' Did any one in my camp know of thy purpose 
 — any one ? If thou sayest that all were ignorant 
 I can believe thee. If thou art silent I shall know 
 whom to suspect. Now ! Speak or be silent' 
 
 Olbri was silent. 
 
 Thou dost not speak,' muttered Alvo. * Re- 
 member, this is a matter of life or death to others.
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 245 
 
 Did others know? I need not ask thee any 
 names. They did know ! Thou dost not deny it ? 
 
 Olbri was silent as before. 
 
 Silent ! but he felt as if every pulse were beating 
 with the fierce words in which throbbed a lifetime's 
 bitterness. 
 
 1 Thy father suffered, being innocent — thou hast 
 suffered, innocent — the innocent may now suffer 
 for thee. And they shall suffer] muttered Olbri. 
 
 Alvo fixed a keen gaze on his unchanging face ; 
 and then turned away, as if he were satisfied. 
 
 ' It is so ! I knew it ! ' he said, below his breath, 
 and this time it was beyond doubt that he was 
 changed — that his eyes were contracted, dark, and 
 that his face had lost its beauty. 
 
 ' Ye think the young leader so gentle,' said the 
 oldest Rema chief. ' I tell you he has it in him to 
 be cruel like other men.' 
 
 Olbri, watching closely, became aware of the 
 vibration which, for an instant, shook him from 
 head to foot. 
 
 ' Aha ! ' he said to himself, ' I have touched the 
 wizard after all ! ' 
 
 But Alvo only turned quietly away, and trimmed 
 the lamp. 
 
 When he returned his face showed no agitation ; 
 the blood had come back to his lips, and his eyes 
 looked bright and gentle. 
 
 ' I will ask thee no more,' he said to Olbri,
 
 246 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 speaking softly, ' and I will not torture thee for the 
 sake of information. When the soldiers return in 
 a few minutes thou must die. But I will give thee 
 no pain that is not necessary.' 
 
 Olbri scanned him in vain for any sign of his 
 late emotion. Finding none, he said to himself, 
 ' He is not a coward.' 
 
 Alvo, meanwhile, sat down once more on his mat- 
 tress, and began to repair an old sword belt daintily. 
 
 The minutes passed. Olbri still felt no fear — 
 remorse; he was resting, at ease, pleased by the 
 approach of death, even soothed by the dull throb 
 which continued in his brain ; 
 
 'Your father suffered, being innocent — you 
 suffered, innocent' He did not move his face, or 
 the arms bound behind his back ; he stood against 
 the post, looking down on his companion. The 
 little interest which his life retained could be found 
 at that instant in that companion's face. 
 
 ' So, I have seen the wizard — I have thrown a 
 fire-brand in his camp — and now I shall die, and 
 forget the pain of life.' And still the dull throb 
 continued ceaselessly, — 
 
 'Your father suffered, being innocent — you 
 suffered, innocent' 
 
 Old memories restored him to the time when he 
 had fever, when his head rested upon his father's 
 shoulder — to that other moment when, in an im- 
 pulse of reparation, the young nobleman had piled
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 247 
 
 the flowers upon his breast But his father and 
 Ascar were faint like distant shadows ; he knew 
 that he was unworthy of their love. And now 
 Alvo raised his head, and said in his low, clear 
 voice : 
 
 1 1 will call the soldiers.' 
 
 As he spoke he held out the sword-belt, and his 
 eyes rested on his work with youthful satisfaction. 
 Then he glanced suddenly, with some shame, at 
 the captive ; and as their eyes met Olbri smiled 
 irresistibly. Perhaps the smile relieved the young 
 leader ; for, rising immediately, he touched the 
 captive's arm, murmured, ' You are brave,' and left 
 the tent. He did not know what a tumult of re- 
 action his three words had roused in his com- 
 panion's breast. 
 
 Soldiers were round him — they were unbinding 
 him — he struggled to speak, as one striving with a 
 nightmare. 
 
 ' Estri — Estri — ' he gasped. And then, as a 
 dream changes, the men were gone — he and Alvo 
 were alone. 
 
 ' What is it ? ' asked Alvo, in his sternest voice. 
 ' Say what thou wilt, but I cannot promise thee 
 thy life.' 
 
 Olbri tried to speak, but his white lips would 
 only tremble ; he seemed to have lost the power of 
 pronouncing words. Then Alvo brought water, 
 almost impatiently, and wetted his forehead and
 
 248 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 lips. His touch had no pity, but it had gentleness, 
 and Olbri felt a certain pleasure in the contact. 
 
 I What is it ? ' asked Alvo. ' Thou hast not 
 more than an instant' 
 
 Olbri gathered his strength. 
 
 ' Estri, I have lied to thee. 5 
 
 ' Thou hast not even spoken.' 
 
 ' I have deceived thee without speaking. Estri, I 
 know no man in thy camp. The innocent shall 
 not suffer for me.' 
 
 Alvo looked at him with amazement. 
 
 ' How can I believe thee ? ' 
 
 I I entreat thee to believe me. I would not have 
 any man's blood upon my head. I come from the 
 Fair Country. I travelled over the plain alone. 
 I came in with the rabble this morning, and hid all 
 day in the ravine. No man knew of my purpose, 
 no man but myself. I entreat thee, believe me.' 
 
 ' Why didst thou not speak before ? ' 
 
 ' Because I wished that the innocent should 
 suffer.' 
 
 ' Thou art worse than a coward ! ' 
 
 Olbri was silent. 
 
 1 Tell me why thou wouldst kill me.' 
 
 1 Estri,' said Olbri, wearily, * call the soldiers. 
 Let me die at once.' 
 
 1 Answer me first.' 
 
 Olbri looked blankly round the tent, at the 
 lamp, the shadows, the tired face of Alvo. Why
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 249 
 
 had he wished to kill him ? The words came in a 
 trembling voice. 
 
 ' Because they banished me.' 
 
 Alvo had not expected the answer. He started, 
 and for one instant surveyed the prisoner. His 
 words were abrupt. 
 
 ' Thou hast been branded ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, Estri,' muttered Olbri. 
 
 1 And for what reason ? ' 
 
 ' They called me a coward, but I am not one — 
 I am not' 
 
 Alvo smiled disdainfully. 
 
 1 He who crawls to men's tents by night — ' 
 
 ' They kill wild beasts at night.' 
 
 The young leader laughed. 
 
 ' After all, thou hast real courage. I am glad. 
 That will make it an easier matter for thee to die.' 
 
 He came close to Olbri, and laid a hand upon 
 his arm. Something in the prisoner had attracted 
 him. 
 
 ' Ah ! dost thou know,' he murmured, in an out- 
 burst of confidence, ' I would not be quite sorry if 
 I changed with thee, and lost my tired head, and 
 the Council, and all the burden of the camp. The 
 moon shines to-night ! ' 
 
 The strange words were sincere enough ; they 
 had the fascination of sincerity. A sudden flood 
 rushed over Olbri. In that instant it was impos- 
 sible not to express his penitence.
 
 250 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' Estri,' he cried, ' I was wrong — I am a sinner. 
 Thou art too generous to me who have tried to 
 murder thee. I am worse than an animal, but I 
 was mad — in despair. They killed my father by 
 their cruelty, they punished me when I had done 
 no wrong, they drove me away from my home and 
 my father's grave. I had no home, no country. 
 Estri, it is a hard lot to have no country.' 
 
 He spoke the words as they came, without paus- 
 ing to consider. He had no thought of making the 
 least appeal for mercy. But if he Jiad searched 
 through all the words he knew, he could have 
 found none more fitted to reach the heart of the 
 young leader. The face of Alvo changed, it ap- 
 peared that he was moved. 
 
 ' Thou art right,' he said in a low voice, as if he 
 were speaking to himself; ' it is a hard lot to have 
 no country.' 
 
 Without looking again at Olbri he paced up and 
 down the tent. Suddenly he stopped, and then 
 turned and went out. Olbri looked after him in 
 some surprise, but he was tired ... it was all a 
 dream ... he fell back to unconsciousness. 
 
 And Alvo was standing with Osmyn upon the 
 deserted exercise - ground, looking down on the 
 darkness, the bright lights of the camp. The sky 
 was covered with drifting, fleecy clouds, through 
 which the moon sent some gleams of shivering 
 light.
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 251 
 
 ' Osmyn — Osmyn, why may I not pardon him ? ' 
 
 ' Because he deserves to die.' 
 
 * Do we not all deserve to die ? ' 
 
 1 That is folly, Estri. Of course thou wilt have 
 thy way. I can only tell thee what the soldiers 
 already say. They say that the man must be a 
 friend of the Rema.' 
 
 ' They may say so.' 
 
 ' And the Rema say that if he were one of them — ' 
 
 1 They tell the truth. I should certainly not spare 
 a Rema. It would be an advantage to the world 
 to have one Rema less in it.' 
 
 ' Estri, dost thou remember that the Rema may- 
 be listening ? ' 
 
 ' Ah, they may,' cried Alvo. ' I thank thee for 
 reminding me. I will go and eat supper with my 
 murderer.' 
 
 He turned away, laughing ; and Osmyn looked 
 after him with a dark face, crushing his heel against 
 the ground. But, the moment's anger over, he fol- 
 lowed his master at a distance, determined to watch 
 by the young leader's tent. He would lose his 
 supper, and his only time for leisure, but these were 
 small losses for his master's sake. 
 
 The hills frown, unfathomable darkness fills the 
 valleys ; the camp is still silent in spite of its gleams 
 of light ; somewhere in the distance a soldier is 
 bawling to the sky, — 
 
 1 We will return to our country.'
 
 XVI. 
 
 Tender is the night, 
 And haply the Queen-Moon is on her throne . . . 
 
 But here there is no light, 
 Save what from heaven is with the breezes blown. 
 
 The Queen-Moon rises. She sweeps away the 
 clouds ; and, riding the sky, pours her light on 
 Alvo's camp. Further away that light falls upon 
 woods and rivers ; on the lonely paths trodden by 
 some captives, whom we know ; on the meadows 
 and groves of the beautiful Alidrah ; on the glisten- 
 ing Tordrade, and the revels of Ursan's men. The 
 Queen-Moon has the same gift ; she rides the sky, 
 and pours down her cold light from her silver 
 throne. It is to that weird light, beneath that 
 silent sky, that Olbri must go out to begin his life 
 again. 
 
 A night of wonders ! Olbri had been roused from 
 stupor by the soldiers who told him that they came 
 to set him free, and who laughed at him when he 
 implored that he might die. He was unbound ; his 
 wounds were bandaged, and he was provided with 
 food and clothes, and told that at midnight he must 
 
 252
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 253 
 
 leave the camp ; whilst, with the earnestness 
 of a last entreaty, he only asked to see and speak 
 with Alvo. Olbri could not have told why he prof- 
 fered this request ; it was not with any wish to 
 express his gratitude, some strange attraction had 
 laid hold of him. 
 
 And then Alvo returned; and Olbri could not 
 speak, though Alvo had smiled, and told him he 
 might rest ; and then, with his ordinary reckless 
 courage, had thrown himself down upon the ground 
 to write. He paid not the least further heed to his 
 companion ; and Olbri, standing, looked down on 
 him and thought. 
 
 What should he do with his life? He must 
 again begin to live, and that is a hard task when a 
 life has failed. His father was dead ; and though 
 Ascar might be alive, he had promised not to bring 
 the ' curse of the banished ' on his friend. Must 
 he still fight alone ? He was weary of the struggle, 
 tired of the opposing eyes of multitudes ; and yet 
 when his mind turned to the thought of solitude, he 
 was only able to recall its bitterness. With des- 
 pairing eyes, and yet with some interest, his glance 
 now fell upon his companion. In after days he 
 would be able to remember that he had looked, 
 as in a dream, on the terror of the Alidrah. 
 
 ' Dark hair, with a nut-brown tint, kept closely 
 cut, but allowed to lie in small, fine rings on his 
 forehead. . . . Ah ! I remember that he has a scar ;
 
 254 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 he has the vanity to wish to hide it. . . . Dainty 
 black eyebrows (one is injured by the scar) and 
 eyelashes that curl as if they were a girl's . . . and 
 I have seen his eyes, brown eyes with dark grey 
 rims, as clear and deep as if they were wells of light. 
 Ah ! why did the gods condemn that pretty face 
 to go into the hard life of battles and be spoiled ? 
 the hard life ! — ' 
 
 Alvo threw back his head with a petulant, weary 
 motion, raising his arms and letting his tablets fall. 
 His lips pouted, his eyes sought those of Olbri with 
 a childish, tired expression . . . and Olbri flung 
 himself at the young leader's feet. There had been 
 nothing to prepare his companion for the move- 
 ment, which was not less unexpected by himself. 
 
 ' Estri, take me with thee, take me to the 
 Alidrah ! ' 
 
 For one moment Alvo was silent from surprise. 
 
 ' Rise,' he said then, ' thou dost not know what 
 thou askest' 
 
 ' Take me to the Alidrah,' entreated Olbri. 
 
 ' I may never reach it.' 
 
 The young leader's voice was hoarse. But Olbri 
 clung to his knees in an agony. 
 
 1 At least I shall be near thee.' 
 
 Alvo did not smile. He looked gravely down 
 on his companion. 
 
 ' Rise/ he said ; ' sit down, do not vex thyself. I 
 will help thee if I can.'
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 255 
 
 He began to pace his tent. Olbri, still trembling, 
 sat down upon the ground. Alvo walked up and 
 down, with his hands behind his back. 
 
 The appeal had distressed more than it had 
 astonished him, for it was not the first time he had 
 seen a man at his feet, and it was impossible for 
 him to be ignorant of the spell which he exercised 
 so easily. But, if he had once felt a youthful 
 pleasure in such magic, in these darker days, 
 oppressed even by his men's devotion, he was 
 perpetually haunted by a whisper, ' Never tempt 
 any man now to follow thee.' The whisper re- 
 curred to him ; but his brain, always keen and 
 subtle, replied that this man at least had not been 
 tempted, and that it was written on the scarred, 
 wasted face that its owner would prove no ordinary 
 follower. For a moment he wavered, but the 
 indecision passed ; he could not now venture on 
 any difficulty. Yet he felt a pang, for no ordinary 
 attraction drew him to this man who had tried 
 to murder him. He came close to Olbri, who 
 was still seated on the ground. 
 
 * Listen,' he said, ' I will speak to thee honestly. 
 It is in my power to keep thee in my camp, in spite 
 of the jealousy both of my soldiers and the Rema. 
 But what wilt thou gain ? Thy country is thy 
 home, thy friends.' 
 
 1 I have no friends,' said Olbri. 
 
 ' Then at least thy memories. Wilt thou be con-
 
 256 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 tent to come with an army there ? I can fight for 
 a land which I have never known.' 
 Olbri pondered. 
 
 ' I have Ascar. I have my father's grave . . . 
 But how else can I reach them ? There is nothing 
 left for me in life.' 
 
 ' Nothing but me — the wild beast ? ' cried Alvo, 
 laughing. ' No, thou art wrong, there is one other 
 way. The Avra Nira are raising an army. They 
 take any men who come. They ask no questions 
 concerning their history. Go to them, and tell them 
 that you come from Alvo's camp. They will accept 
 thee gladly for the sake of information. Choose ! ' 
 
 Alvo raised his tablets, and began again to write, 
 leaning against the pole, and glancing down on 
 Olbri ; who sat with blank eyes and hesitating lips, 
 as if he were lost in some uncertain dream. Ah ! 
 he could willingly have followed the young leader ! 
 but then Ascar — Ered — that other — his dead father 
 — all these dead, living hands which had once 
 touched him kindly were stretched out against him 
 now as barriers. And the young leader, however 
 beautiful, generous, was bringing the Rema to the 
 Fair Country ! Yet he hesitated, and it was only 
 with reluctance that he rose slowly, sadly, to his feet. 
 
 ' Hast thou decided ? ' 
 
 ' Yes, EstrL' 
 
 Olbri looked down on the ground. Alvo came 
 close to him, and touched his arm.
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 257 
 
 ' We shall meet in battle. I long to fight again ! 
 And now come and have supper with me before 
 the Council.' 
 
 An enchanted supper ! 
 
 Side by side with the young leader, Olbri sat 
 down on cushions on the ground, before the simple 
 food which Alvo's own hands had prepared, for he 
 was accustomed to wait upon himself. Olbri was 
 tired ; he could feel now that he had been bruised ; 
 a strange, dreaming atmosphere seemed to enfold 
 his senses, and there were moments when it was 
 impossible for him to believe that he was indeed 
 close to the terror of the Fair Country. The two 
 men ate in silence ; the captive possessed with 
 craving hunger, but Alvo scarcely touching the 
 food that was before him — scarcely even drinking, 
 although at intervals he placed his dry lips on the 
 mouth of the jar of water. He appeared to be 
 feverish, absorbed in thought ; all at once, fling- 
 ing off the Council, he turned suddenly to his 
 companion. 
 
 ' Thou lookest earnestly at me. What dost thou 
 want ? ' 
 
 ' I wanted — to remember thy face.' 
 
 ' Look at it again.' 
 
 Olbri did look, but this time he saw nothing, 
 for the young leader met his eyes with his own 
 penetrating glance. 
 
 VOL. I. R
 
 258 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' I would forget the Council,' Alvo murmured. 
 1 Talk to me.' 
 
 And the enchanted meal was succeeded by an 
 enchanted conversation ! 
 
 The men sat on the ground. The lamp flickered 
 above their heads ; from without came the distant 
 murmur of the camp. Olbri was still in a dream, 
 but his companion's eyes demanded speech, and he 
 could not but answer to their sympathy. The two 
 men — so different ! — were yet near each other ; for 
 one moment at least their fates had touched. 
 
 1 There is little to tell, Estri,' Olbri said in a hard 
 voice, whilst his face became rigid, and his pale 
 eyes fixed. ' For years of my life I was left entirely 
 alone. I was still a boy when my father — went 
 into Silence.' 
 
 He paused. 
 
 ' My father was learned — he knew the herbs and 
 stars — and the neighbours hated him, they accused 
 him of being a wizard. They ill-treated him ; they 
 left him to die alone — alone, without food — there 
 was no food near him when I found him — I found 
 his dead body lying on the ground — I knew then 
 what men were — ' He shivered at the remembrance. 
 
 1 And what didst thou then ? ' whispered Alvo, 
 anxious to draw him from his thoughts, for Olbri 
 had twisted his fingers as if he were in mortal 
 pain. It was only with an effort that he roused 
 himself.
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 259 
 
 1 1 — J learned the herbs and stars — one can learn 
 many things from them — my father used to say 
 that they are wise and gentle. And I hunted — ' 
 
 1 1 once loved hunting,' Alvo cried. 
 
 'I hunted to live, Estri ; I killed the animals for 
 their skins. But I was sorry for the animals ; I 
 would rather have killed men.' 
 
 1 Wise and gentle as the herbs and stars/ whis- 
 pered Alvo, with a smile. 
 
 ' Estri, if men had killed your father — ' 
 
 ' They killed my mother.' 
 
 Jhere was silence. 
 
 1 I know not what comes after life ; ' said Olbri, 
 1 but life itself is a hard thing — hard to me.' 
 
 Alvo looked at him. and his voice sank low. 
 
 ' Thou canst scarcely have had a harder life than 
 mine.' 
 
 For one instant Olbri was silent, then he 
 cried, — 
 
 1 Estri, thy face is not scarred.' 
 
 But Alvo laughed, and pushed back the dark 
 rings from his forehead, The movement revealed 
 that on his left hand too there was a scar. 
 
 ' Yes, Estri,' said Olbri, bitterly ; ' and when men 
 see those marks they say : " Ah, the brave leader, 
 these are tokens of his battles ! " not : " This fellow 
 has a disease, let us keep away from him ; " or, 
 " Here is a wretch who has been branded, and has 
 tried in vain to remove the brand." '
 
 260 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 ' Why did they brand thee ? ' 
 
 ' They said I was a coward. Estri, thou wilt not 
 believe me, but I was not one, I was not.' 
 
 Alvo looked at him with his piercing glance. 
 
 ' I believe thee,' he murmured. 
 
 Tears rose to Olbri's eyes. 
 
 ' See, now/ said Alvo kindly, ' thou art foolish ! 
 What should it matter to thee whether I believe or 
 not ? A leader is always a coward ; if he retreats 
 it is the cowardice of terror ; if he advances it is 
 the cowardice of despair. No — no — it is to our 
 own hearts we must look. 
 
 ' And too often,' he muttered, c we find ourselves 
 cowards there.' 
 
 There was an instant's silence. 
 
 1 How did'st thou remove the brand ? ' 
 
 ' I burned my face with the vera loni ' {burning 
 juice). 
 
 * That must have been a painful remedy.' 
 
 ' It was,' said Olbri, laughing at the remembrance. 
 ' I howled, for I was in a wood, and there were none 
 to hear. I did not mean to distort my face so 
 much — I was vexed when I saw it, but the brand 
 was gone. 
 
 ' Again ! ' cried Alvo. ' What was the brand to 
 thee ? ' 
 
 1 It was enough, Estri, to drive me from my 
 senses.' 
 
 ' Perhaps,' murmured Olbri, with a glance at his
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 261 
 
 companion, ' thou wouldst care more for the dis- 
 figurement' 
 
 1 1 should,' replied Alvo, simply. ' I should let 
 my face alone, and leave it to my battles to remove 
 the brand. But then I know that I am always 
 called a coward. The voices of others do not 
 trouble me.' 
 
 1 That is my weakness, Estri, but I cannot cure 
 it, although I have had ill words round me from 
 my childhood. Ah, how I have longed for kind- 
 ness ! My father used to say, " More men go 
 hungry for kindness than for bread." And then, 
 if one keeps alone, there are thoughts like 
 demons — ' 
 
 Alvo made a sign of assent. He added quickly, — 
 
 ' Why didst thou not study ? ' 
 
 ' I was always angry, like a fool ; and he who is 
 angry cannot learn the herbs and stars. And then 
 I would be seized with a desire to hunt, and would 
 rush out into the free air and the dew. And so I 
 could learn nothing.' 
 
 1 Yes ; nothing,' Alvo muttered. ' That is not the 
 way in which any work is done. The gods demand 
 a whole life — ' his face became dark. The next 
 words scarcely stirred his lips, ' Yet the gods are 
 good.' There were others to which he would give 
 no utterance. ' In spite of all I will win the Fair 
 Country.' 
 
 Feeling that his hand clenched, he turned round
 
 262 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 to Olbri with a gay, careless look that might have 
 been a child's. 
 
 'We must part directly. It is almost time for 
 the Council. Is there any boon I can grant thee ? ' 
 
 1 Estri, I could ask it on my knees. I have one 
 friend — one — who has been good and generous. 
 His name is Ascar. He is a captive of the Rema. 
 I have been branded, and might bring a curse on 
 him. But I have given jewels to his bride. She 
 may come to thee — ' 
 
 ' I will try to help him.' 
 
 ' And — thou wilt spare her? She is beautiful.' 
 
 1 A woman is safe in my camp,' Alvo answered 
 with steady eyes. 'Art thou ready to leave me 
 now ? Where wilt thou go ? ' 
 
 1 To the Avra Nira.' 
 
 ' Art thou in want of food ? ' 
 
 1 I left my bow and arrows outside the camp. 
 May I have my knife ? ' 
 
 ' It shall be given back to thee. Is it poisoned ? ' 
 
 Olbri made a sign of assent. 
 
 ' Thou art wrong,' said Alvo, speaking seriously. 
 1 A man who can strike straight is in no need of 
 poison. That is not warfare.' 
 
 * It is a just reproof. But I thought that if I 
 struck a man his face might become like mine.' 
 
 Alvo raised his eyebrows. 
 
 ' Estri, I have been wrong. I will not ask for 
 my knife. I will begin my life again.'
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 263 
 
 ' Learn the will of the gods.' 
 4 1 know so little of the gods. (Does he know 
 much ? ' thought Olbri). ' But I will try.' 
 
 ' And, at least,' said Alvo, looking at him with a 
 smile, ' thou wilt know that one man in the great 
 world believes in thee.' 
 
 Olbri tried to speak, but his eyes became dim 
 with tears. And now Osmyn and Ilva entered the 
 tent side by side. 
 
 The two soldiers looked disdainfully at the 
 captive, but Ilva's disdain was soon lost in the joy 
 of Alvo's presence. Osmyn stood apart, more dark 
 and grim than usual, because he knew that his 
 master had despised his counsel. As for Alvo, he 
 whispered and laughed with the giant Ilva, whilst 
 Olbri watched him, almost with perplexity. 
 
 ' Does he indeed bewitch men ? Am 1 be- 
 witched ? He is beautiful, but he is not like Ascar 
 — whom I love.' 
 
 Alvo came near him. 
 
 1 Ilva will take thee out of the camp. We shall 
 meet in battle.' 
 
 He laid a kind touch on Olbri's arm. Mechani- 
 cally Olbri followed Ilva's steps. They had almost 
 reached the curtain of the tent when suddenly he 
 turned back, threw himself down upon his knees, 
 and grasping the young leader's hands, covered 
 them with kisses. 
 
 1 If I could meet thee again, Estri ! '
 
 264 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY, 
 
 Olbri's voice was choked with tears. 
 
 1 We shall meet in battle,' said Alvo. ' Live in 
 health.' 
 
 1 Come, then/ muttered Ilva in a gruff, kindly 
 voice. Ilva was touched by the scene, but Osmyn 
 looked more grim than ever. 
 
 Olbri rose from his knees, and followed Ilva into 
 the camp, into the starlit darkness, and began his 
 life again. . . . 
 
 Meanwhile the Council assembled. Alvo kept 
 Osmyn close to him, with an inward hope that he 
 would be edified. 
 
 Perhaps Osmyn was edified. It had happened, 
 from various causes that he had not before been 
 present at a Council ; and, long accustomed as he 
 was to his master's manners, he could not but 
 wonder at them anew on this occasion. Alvo 
 received his guests, who for the most part were 
 grey-headed, with the most becoming deference, 
 the most shy humility ; his words of greeting 
 being few, grave, and simple, never sinking below 
 the dignity of the occasion. It was with the same 
 manner of attention and respect that he listened to 
 their opinions when the Council had begun. The 
 Rema, always ready to find some fault with him, 
 could have told that he was not always so modest 
 at a Council. 
 
 Most of them remembered very different meet- 
 ings when they had squatted on the ground round
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 265 
 
 their old Maravel ; whilst Alvo leaned on Ursan's 
 knee, impatient, eager, only restrained by the old 
 hand that rested on his shoulder. Those meetings 
 were also in the young leader's mind ; he had once 
 taken pleasure in the Councils of the Maravel. 
 
 Now he sat at the head of his own, perched on a 
 stool, whose height was supposed to add to his 
 dignity ; whilst Osmyn stood behind him in grim, 
 disapproving silence, and below him were the dark 
 faces of the oldest leaders in his camp. There 
 were the Rema, sharp, contemptuous ; the Kroni, 
 whose features might have been carved in wood ; 
 the Karngria, with their long beards falling on 
 their breasts, each with a red spot on the right 
 hand which had shed blood. It was strange to 
 turn from these men to the beauty of the leader ; 
 he seemed to be ill-fitted to control them all. 
 
 Yet Alvo understood his business. In spite of 
 his youthfulness, the curls on his forehead, the fever 
 in his cheeks, the drooping, black eyelashes that 
 veiled his eyes, he was always able to make his 
 position felt. The look of wonder by which he 
 replied to insolence ; the little compliments by 
 which he soothed and pleased ; the voice which, 
 however low, was not without vibrating power — 
 these gifts had their own subduing influence. He 
 rarely gave his opinion, and when he did so his voice 
 trembled, an effect which the Rema noted as 
 hypocrisy — though it was rather due to the peculiar
 
 266 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 sensitiveness which kept him always conscious that 
 he was in the midst of enemies. The involuntary 
 tremor did not affect his words, which never failed 
 to be deserving of attention. 
 
 Only once during the Council did he yield sud- 
 denly to the spirit of mischief which too often 
 guided him ; and even then, although Osmyn did 
 not forgive him, it must be owned that the occasion 
 offered fair excuse. For the Rema had insolently 
 assumed that he was ignorant of their laws, in par- 
 ticular of one, which they recommended him to 
 study ; and the Kroni and Karngria, not to be be- 
 hindhand, referred to similiar edicts of their own. 
 Scrolls, parchments were produced, whilst Alvo 
 waited quietly, with eyes cast down as if he knew 
 himself reproved — and then, when the edicts were 
 passed up to him, let them fall from his hand 
 with utmost indifference. Up rose the whole 
 Council in hot indignation. But — 
 
 ' Sit down,' said Alvo, still more quietly, ' and 
 listen.' 
 
 And whilst the Council stood shivering with rage 
 he repeated each law in its own language without 
 a pause. When he had finished there was an 
 instant's silence. 
 
 1 Is there anything else,' murmured Alvo, ' that 
 you would like to teach your leader ? ' 
 
 ' Maravel,' cried the old leader of the Rema in a 
 frenzy, ' to know is not to act.'
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO, 267 
 
 ' Sit down then, and we will talk.' 
 
 They did talk, but the conference was not satis- 
 factory, and the old leader relapsed into a sullen 
 silence. He would never have spoken again if, 
 when the discussion on the laws was over, Alvo 
 had not turned all thoughts to the new tents that 
 were being made. The old leader had his own 
 ideas on tents ; he had held them for years, and no 
 one had attended to them. And now, was it pos- 
 sible to refuse a Maravel who asked for advice with 
 such entreating eyes ? He despised himself for 
 yielding to the young leader's spell, but it was 
 only for the moment, he would conspire against 
 him to-morrow. 
 
 So the Council wore to an end. With a shamed, 
 a burning face, Alvo once more delayed all the 
 payments that were due ; and even the Rema for- 
 bore to make his position harder, knowing well that 
 Maravel Ursan had not kept his promises. The last 
 formalities followed ; and at the conclusion of the 
 meeting, Alvo accompanied his leaders himself to 
 the entrance of his tent. They lingered for a 
 while, feeling the cold air of the night, and looking 
 at the stars above, and the lights of the camp 
 below. 
 
 1 It is past midnight,' said Alvo. ' Let us sleep.' 
 
 He looked so wan that even the commander of 
 the Rema answered, — 
 
 1 You are tired, Maravel.'
 
 268 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 1 1 have a trick of being tired.' 
 
 ■ That is because you are young.' 
 
 But Alvo only smiled demurely. 
 
 4 If it were not for the traditions of the Alvoi, 
 my face would not be smooth.' 
 
 Then they saluted him, and he returned their 
 salute with the slight bend of head and knee with 
 which a young man greets his elders. Leaving 
 him, they went down into the camp, beneath the 
 stars. 
 
 1 After all/ murmured the chief of the Karngria, 
 ' he treats us with respect.' 
 
 'The young leader will not perish for want of 
 fair words,' growled the commander of the Rema. 
 1 But he goes on his own way, notwithstanding.' 
 
 Alvo was left with Osmyn — the duties of the 
 day at length accomplished, and preparation for 
 rest the only task. He would not rest, however, 
 till he had restored his tent to order, and he moved 
 about it with quiet hands and steps ; whilst Osmyn, 
 forbidden to assist him, seated himself upon the 
 mattress, and began to repair his own sword-belt 
 carefully. The grim Osmyn had not his master's 
 daintiness, but he attempted to suit his master's 
 taste — no mean attempt if it indeed be true that 
 1 it requires great love to present small offerings.' 
 And now Alvo, having arranged all things to his 
 mind, came to sit down by him upon the mattress.
 
 THE CAMP OF AL VO. 269 
 
 Alvo was in an unusual mood. Although 
 another man was present, he made no effort to 
 charm or to be playful. He bent his head over 
 the shield he was polishing as if some burden 
 were overwhelming him. The Exiles' Song fell 
 from him, almost in a murmur : — 
 
 Darkly frown the storm-clouds o'er us, 
 
 Near are sorrow, want, and pain ; 
 What care we what lies before us ? 
 
 ' Osmyn, what didst thou think of my Council ? 
 Praise me.' 
 
 He made an effort to shake off his moodiness. 
 
 ' Estri,' replied Osmyn, who never praised his 
 master, 'what was the use of trying to please them 
 all?' 
 
 ' Because that pleases me — Osmyn ! ' 
 
 He threw up both his arms. 
 
 ' What ails thee, Estri ? ' 
 
 1 1 want Ivlon.' 
 
 The words sounded like a cry. Osmyn looked 
 at him with undisguised concern. 
 
 ' He will soon return,' he said, in a grim tone of 
 consolation. 
 
 Osmyn did not love the young shield-bearer, but 
 he had no jealousy. 
 
 ' I cannot endure the camp without him,' Alvo 
 moaned ; ' the hatred, the struggle which never 
 ceases day or night. Osmyn, when we have won
 
 270 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 the Fair Country, you shall live with Ivlon and 
 me, and shall teach us both ! ' 
 
 ■ That will be impossible, Estri.' 
 
 ' Because I am so complete a fool ? ' 
 
 ' Thou art worse than a fool, because thou couldst 
 be wise.' 
 
 1 1 tell thee I cannot be wise. When we have 
 won the Alidrah — Osmyn, let us say together the 
 Prayer to the Great Spirit' 
 
 They repeated it, standing. Then Alvo was 
 silent for a while. When he next spoke it was in 
 an altered tone. 
 
 ' Osmyn, the Gods have some care for us, have 
 they not ? When they know that a man has a 
 wish, it does not please them to destroy it ? ' 
 
 1 Thou hadst better sleep, Estri/ said Osmyn, 
 and vouchsafed no other answer. 
 
 As he rose, Alvo stooped suddenly and kissed 
 his hand. Osmyn pulled it away in disgust, and 
 performed his stiff salute, hearing his master's 
 merry laugh as he went out. He went out into 
 the cold night and the starlight, and began to pace 
 up and down outside the tent. 
 
 What country does Osmyn seek as he still walks 
 up and down, weary, disheartened, angry with his 
 master and himself, calling himself bitterly * a fool 
 tied to a fool,' yet giving up his night's rest for his 
 master's sake? Not the Fair Country, or any 
 other country, unless there be some land where
 
 THE CAMP OF ALVO. 271 
 
 devotion is rewarded. Alvo, meanwhile, over- 
 burdened by fatigue, does not know that his 
 follower is losing rest for him. 
 
 If in moments when fatigue is almost uncon- 
 sciousness it is possible to be influenced by the 
 thoughts of others, the young leader is in some 
 danger of being dragged in different ways. For, 
 far away by the banks of the Tordrade, Ursan sits 
 alone in his tent, his hard face absorbed in a weary 
 perplexity ; and Ivlon in his dungeon is breathing 
 prayers for his master ; and Olbri raises grateful 
 eyes to the starlit sky. To Alvo, however, over- 
 whelmed by weariness, come no thoughts of Ursan, 
 of Ivlon, or of Olbri. He throws himself on his 
 hard couch, considering ruefully how short a time 
 is left for rest before the dawn. As his head falls, 
 his eyelids close at once with the relief with which 
 a tired child sinks to sleep. 
 
 So let him rest — so let us also pause, with one 
 last glance towards those we have learned to know. 
 What shall we say of them — the imprisoned Estri, 
 longing to regain his lost bride and his home ; the 
 wife-maiden, with her lonely, frightened dreams ; 
 the son of the sorcerer, beginning life again ; the 
 old leader, with his weary, plotting head ; the 
 young leader, with his wild fancies, wayward 
 genius. No triumphant chorus, no sure promise 
 of success, would provide fit sentences for any one
 
 272 THE ROMANCE OF A COUNTRY. 
 
 of these ; let us rather turn to the familiar, haunt- 
 ing words, which in such little space convey so 
 much aspiration, — 
 
 They seek a country. 
 
 END OF VOL. I. 
 
 COLSTON AND COMPANY, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH.
 
 
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