When he was sitting with us in the hall, he behaved in a very strange manner--sometimes he was merry, sometimes cross; by turns courteous and rude in his demeanour, without any one being able to see a motive for such constant changes.

I longed to know where he came from; but how could I ask my guest such a question?
He told us as much as this, that he was starved with cold in our country, and that his own was much warmer.

Also he appeared well acquainted with the city of Constantinople, and related fearful stories of how brothers, uncles, nephews, nay, even fathers and sons, thrust each other from the throne, blinded, cut out tongues, and murdered.

At length he said his own name--it sounded harmonious, like a Greek name, but none of us could remember it.

Before long he displayed his skill as an armourer.