All
started up, shouted and sought to flee, but Attila's Minister struck
with his staff on the table, and the assembly broke into laughter.
It was a jest for the occasion, and only some waggon-loads of hay
had been kindled outside. When quiet had been restored, Attila was
no more to be seen, for he had left the hall by a secret door.
And now began the feast, which lasted till morning.
* * * * *
When the sun rose, Orestes was still sitting and drinking with an
Avar chief. The condition of the hall was indescribable, and most of
the guests were dancing outside round the fire.
"This is a wedding-feast indeed!" said Orestes. "We shall not quickly
forget it. But I would gladly have spoken with the wonderful man. Can
one not do that?"
"No," answered the Avar; "he only speaks in case of need. 'What is
the use of standing,' he asks, 'and deceiving one another?' He is a
wise man, and not without traces of kindness and humanity. He allows
no unnecessary bloodshed, does not avenge himself on a defeated foe,
and is ready to forgive."
"Has he any religion? Does he fear death?"
"He believes on his sword and his mission, and death is for him only
the door to his real home. Therefore he lives here below, as though
he were a guest or traveller.
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