_Arnoldo relates what befell Taurisa._
Auristella longed greatly to know what had passed between Arnoldo
and Periander, when they went forth from the inn, and waited for an
opportunity to ask Periander; and also to hear from Arnoldo what he
had done with her maid, Taurisa; and, as if he guessed her thoughts,
he said to her, "The misfortunes you have gone through, O beautiful
Auristella, have made you forget those who would wish to have a place
in your memory. Among these, I myself am one, who could live happy only
with the imagination and remembrance, which has so long been all I have
had to live upon. That destiny which has made me your's, has left me no
other choice, than to obey you in all things. Your brother, Periander,
has related to me much of what has happened since you were stolen away
from my kingdom; which recital has excited in me wonder, astonishment,
and alarm. I perceive also that your distresses have been so great as
to blot out of your memory some recollections that should be strong;
you have neither asked after my father, nor for Taurisa, your maid.
I left her in good hands, longing that I should seek and find you. I
brought her with me in the intention of selling her to the barbarians,
that she might serve me as a spy, and discover if fortune had thrown
you into their power; but how your brother, Periander, came to me, and
what we agreed upon together, he will have already told you. Although I
have often wished to return to the barbarous isle, yet contrary winds
have always prevented my doing so; and now I was intending to return
hither, in the same desire and intention, which Heaven has accomplished
with ample and perfect satisfaction, seeing that I am in your presence,
O thou cure of all my sorrows. It is two days since I delivered Taurisa
into the care of two gentlemen, friends of mine, whom I happened to
fall in with amongst these seas; they were going to Ireland in a fine
vessel, for Taurisa had fallen sick, and her life was in danger, and as
this ship of mine is more like that of a corsair than of a king's son,
and contains neither medicine nor food proper for sick persons, I sent
her under their care to Ireland, and committed her to the governor of
that country, that he should protect, cure, and take care of her, until
I should myself come and fetch her away.
"I have this day settled it with your brother, that we depart
to-morrow, either for England, or for France or Spain, and whichever it
shall please you to make choice of, I promise you perfect security to
carry the pious intentions, of which your brother has informed me, into
effect; whilst I, meanwhile, will support my hopes upon the shoulders
of my patience, sustained by the trust I put in your understanding
of my wishes. And now, lady, think well, I implore and entreat you,
whether your inclinations agree with ours, for if it be ever so little
displeasing to you, it shall not be carried into execution."
"I have no will but my brother Periander's," answered Auristella, "nor
will he, if he is wise, wish to differ at all from yours."
"Then," returned Arnoldo, "so let it be, and I do not desire to
command, but to obey; for none shall say that I wish to take any
advantage of my rank in taking the lead in anything."
This is what passed between Arnoldo and Auristella; the latter repeated
it all to Periander. And that night Arnoldo, Periander, Maurice,
Ladislaus, and the two captains, with all those who came from the
barbarous isle, held a council together, and arranged their departure
in the following manner.
[Illustration]