CHAPTER XXIII.

_How Auristella became a prey to jealousy when she found that it was

her Periander who won all the Prizes at the Festival._

O mighty power of jealousy! O infirmity, that art so planted in the

heart, that thou canst only be uprooted thence with life itself! Ah!

beauteous Auristella, stay and reflect ere you allow yourself to become

a prey to this cruel suffering! But who can restrain thought within

bounds, which is so light and subtle, that bodyless it passes through

stone walls, enters human bosoms, and penetrates the deepest recesses

of the soul?

I have said this, because, when Auristella heard the name of Periander

pronounced, and having before heard the praises of Sinforosa, and now

hearing of the favour she had shown to him by placing her garland

on his head, suspicion entered her heart, her patience failed, and

uttering a deep sigh, she embraced Transila, and said, "O dear friend,

I pray to Heaven that thou hast not lost thy beloved Ladislaus, as I

lose my brother Periander. Dost thou not hear from the lips of this

worthy gentleman, that he is honoured as conqueror, crowned as the

victor, and more attentive to win the favour of a fair lady, than

to take the trouble of seeking after the wandering steps of his poor

sister? He goes about seeking laurels and trophies in foreign lands,

and leaves her among the wild rocks and mountains, and perils of the

angry ocean, who by his advice and for his pleasure, am placed amid all

these dangers."

The captain of the ship listened to these words with great attention,

and knew not what conclusion to draw from them. He was about to speak,

but the words that were going to be uttered were arrested suddenly,

for the wind rose all at once with such fury, that he was forced to

leave Auristella without an answer, and call to his sailors to mind

the sails, reef and secure them. All hands hastened to the work. The

ship began to fly before the wind, over a tremendous sea; Maurice, with

his companions, retired to their cabin, to leave the deck free for the

mariners. There, Transila asked Auristella what meant the sudden alarm

that had seized her, caused, as it seemed, by only hearing the name of

her brother, Periander; and she could not conceive why the praises and

successes of a brother should give her so much disquiet.

"Alas! my friend," replied Auristella, "so it is, that I am forced to

keep perpetual silence over this pilgrimage I am upon; which seems

doomed to be endless, unless life should end first; I am obliged to

keep it. If you knew who I am (would to heaven that you might know!)

you would see the exculpation of my fears, for you would know then

what has given them birth; you would see misfortunes unlooked-for, and

labyrinths, from whose mazes you would not conceive it possible to

escape--you would see how strong can be the bond of fraternal love.

"You would see how natural it is for lovers to be jealous, if I, with

great propriety, am jealous of a brother. This captain, my friend,

does he not exaggerate the beauty of Sinforosa? and do not you see her

crowning the head of Periander? Yes, doubtless; and this brother of

mine, have not you seen how beautiful and brave he is? Then, how likely

it is that he has awakened feelings in the heart of Sinforosa, that

have made him forget his sister?"

"Remember, lady," answered Transila, "that all this which the captain

has been relating, happened before the time of the captivity in the

barbarous island, and that since then you have both seen and discoursed

with your brother, and have you not found that he loves nobody as

he loves you, and cares for nothing but to please you. And I do not

believe that jealousy can ever be so strong as to divide a sister from

a brother."

"Daughter," said old Maurice, "the effects of human love are often as

different as they are unreasonable. Do you endeavour to be prudent

and discreet enough, not to try and fathom the thoughts of others,

nor desire to know more than they choose to tell you of themselves.

Curiosity about one's neighbour's affairs is to be censured and

avoided."

Auristella heard Maurice say this, and it made her determine to keep

her own secret, and hold her tongue; for Transila, who was a little

indiscreet, might soon have contrived, to draw from her, and make

public, all her history.

The wind abated, without having caused the danger which the sailors

feared, or disturbing the passengers. The captain came to visit them,

and to finish his story, for he was very anxious to learn what could

be the cause of Auristella's disturbance on hearing the name of

Periander. Auristella, on her part, wished much to hear more of the

history, and to learn from the captain whether Sinforosa had bestowed

any other favours upon Periander, besides that of crowning him with her

garland; and, accordingly, she asked him the question very modestly,

and with caution, lest he should suspect her motive.

The captain replied, that Sinforosa had no opportunity to bestow more

favours (since that was the word for the civilities of ladies) on

Periander, but that in spite of the excellence of Sinforosa, he thought

that she kept him much in her imagination; for after he was gone, when

any one spoke of his graces and charms, she praised them up to the

skies; and she had persuaded her father to send out a vessel in search

of him, and make him return to his court, which more confirmed his

suspicions.

"What! is it possible," said Auristella, "that high-born maidens,

daughters of kings, whom fortune has set in high places, should humble

themselves so much as to suffer their secret thoughts to be discovered

by their subjects? And seeing that it is a truth, that greatness

and majesty do not agree well with love, it follows of course that

Sinforosa, a princess, beautiful and free, ought not to have been

captivated at first sight, by an unknown boy, whose rank could not

be very exalted, when he came, the steersman of a boat, with twelve

half-naked companions, as all rowers are."

"Auristella, my daughter," said Maurice, "be silent, there are more

miracles displayed by love than by any other human passion; so many and

so wonderful are they, that they pass in silence unnoticed, however

remarkable they may be. Love joins the sceptre with the shepherd's

crook; greatness with low estate. It makes possible the impossible,

renders different ranks equal, and is powerful as death. You, lady,

well know, and so do I also, the fine qualities and rare beauty of

your brother Periander; and it is the privilege of beauty to attract

and subdue all hearts. Such characters as his, the more they are

known, the more are they loved and esteemed; so it would be no miracle

if Sinforosa, all princess though she is, should love your brother;

because it is not as the simple Periander alone, that she loves, but as

one in whom beauty, valour, dexterity, activity, in short every merit

and accomplishment is centred."

"What, then," cried the captain, "Periander is this lady's brother?"

"Yes!" answered Transila, "for whose sake she lives in perpetual

sadness, and all of us, her friends who love her and wish her well, and

who know him also, in grief and bitterness." Then they related to him

the whole story of the wreck and loss of Arnoldo's ship; the separation

of the barge and skiff, with all else that was necessary to make him

understand what had happened up to the present moment. And at this part

of their history the author of the first volume leaves them and passes

to the second, wherein things will be related which although they do

not surpass truth, yet go beyond what one could conceive, since they

could scarcely enter into the most lively and expansive imagination.

[Illustration]

BOOK II.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER I.

_Wherein it is related how the Ship was turned upside down, with all

that were in her._

It would seem as though the author of this history was more of a lover

than an historian; for nearly the whole of the first chapter of his

Second Book is spent in a definition of jealousies, caused by that

which was shown by Auristella, on account of the story told by the

captain of the vessel. But, as it appears to me to be prolix, I shall

omit it in this translation, and come to facts, which were as follows:--

The wind changing, and the clouds gathering, night came on very dark

and gloomy, and the thunder sending forth the lightning as messenger,

disturbed and bewildered the mariners. Then began the tempest with a

fury that no power or skill could withstand, for it came all at once

and without warning; but nevertheless each man was at his post, doing

the work that was necessary if not to save, at least to prolong life.

The boldest got planks, that they might have something to support

them like a raft, in case the ship should go to pieces. Maurice held

his daughter, Transila, in his embrace; Antonio clasped in his, his

mother and sister. The sad Auristella alone remained without anyone to

support her. She had no hope but in death, and would gladly have even

sought it, if her religion had not forbidden this, and religion was now

her only resource; so she took refuge with the others, and they in a

knot, or rather one might say a heap, lay crouched in the most hidden

corner of the ship, to escape the fearful sound of the thunder, and

the flashes of the lightning, and the confused cries of the mariners.

In this sort of prison they were at least spared from seeing the ship

lifted one instant almost up to the clouds, and at another sweep with

her very topmast the depths of the ocean below. They closed their eyes,

expecting death, fearing it, though they could not see the shape in

which it was to come.

The storm increased so as to baffle the skill of the mariners and the

care of the captain, and finally the hope of all on board. No voice

was heard now, giving orders for this or that to be done; but cries,

and prayers, and vows to Heaven for aid, and so extreme was their

misery, that Transila thought not of her Ladislaus, nor Auristella of

Periander. One of the powerful effects of approaching death, is to

blot from the memory all things that belong to this life; and if it is

able to make the jealous heart forget its pangs, one may indeed say

it can do even the impossible. There was no hour-glass to mark how

time passed, nor compass, nor any means of discovering what place they

were in. All was confusion; all were crying, sighing, and praying. The

captain was dismayed; the mariners gave up all exertion; human strength

was of no avail. The general despair at last made all silent. The rude

sea broke over the very deck, and even over the highest masts, which,

as if in revenge for the insult, struck as it were into the very sands

below. At break of day, if so it could be called, when there came no

light with it, the ship remained water-logged and immoveable, which

is one of the worst disasters that can befall a vessel. At length a

furious hurricane lifted her up, as though by some machinery, burying

the topmasts in the depths of ocean, and leaving her keel turned up to

the skies, making her a tomb for all who were within her.

"Adieu to all the chaste thoughts of Auristella! adieu to all her pious

intentions! Rest in peace, honoured and holy one; no other mausoleum,

no other monument canst thou expect, except a few poor frail planks.

And thou, O Transila, bright example of maiden purity, though thy

bridal bed will not be shared with thine espoused Ladislaus, yet wilt

thou in the arms of thy wise and aged parent find that hope which will

guide thee to a far happier resting-place.

"And thou, O Ricla, clasp in thy arms Antonio and Constance, thy

children, and commit them to Him who now takes away your lives, only to

give you a far better one in Heaven."

Such were the words of the author of this most remarkable and pitiful

history, in consequence of the upsetting of the ship, and the certain

death (as might be supposed) of all who were in her; and what more he

says, will be seen in the following chapter.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER II.

_An extraordinary Event._

The ship was, as I have said, buried in the waters, and within her were

the dead bodies sepulchred, as it seemed without a hope, and destitute

of aid. But pitying Heaven, which sometimes helps the unfortunate,

when at the last extremity, so ordered it, that the vessel was cast

ashore by the waves in an open bay, which seemed as if it served as a

safe harbour, from its tranquillity. Not far off was a port capable of

containing many vessels, and in these waters, as in a clear mirror,

might be seen reflected the buildings of a large and populous city,

which reared its head on the summit of a lofty hill.

The people in the city saw the wreck, and thought that it was a whale

or some other large fish that had been encountered by the tempest. A

good number sallied forth to see, and ascertaining it to be a ship,

the news reached the ears of the King Polycarp, for he was the lord

of this city; and accompanied by many persons, amongst whom were his

two beautiful daughters, Polycarpa and Sinforosa, he went out to give

orders that with capstanes, windlass, and with boats to row round

the ship, she should be brought into port. Several men jumped upon

the wreck, and told the king that they could plainly hear a sound

of knocking within, and they almost fancied of human voices. An old

knight, who was standing near the king, said, "I remember, Sire, having

once seen in the Mediterranean Sea, in the Gulf of Genoa, a Spanish

galley, that in shortening sail had upset like this vessel before us,

and remained bottom upwards. Before they turned her over, having first

heard a noise, as they say they hear in this, they sawed an opening in

the hull, so that they might look into the inside; and upon the light

being admitted, they discovered the captain of the vessel and four of

his crew all alive therein. I saw this, myself, and the details of the

story are given in many Spanish histories. The persons who were thus

brought into the world a second time, from the womb of the vessel, are

yet living, and if here the same thing should happen, it need not be

esteemed a miracle, but a mystery, for miracles are events that occur

out of the order of nature, and mysteries are things that seem to be

miracles, but yet are not so, only of very rare occurrence."

"What then do we wait for?" said the king. "Let us open this vessel

instantly, and see the mystery, but if this should disgorge anything

living, a miracle I shall consider it to be." Great was the haste they

made to open the hull, and great the anxiety of all present to see the

bringing forth. At last a pretty wide opening was made,--many bodies,

seemingly dead, lay within; but one man laid his hands on the body of a

woman whose heart still beat, and showed symptoms of life; others did

the same, and each man brought out a body, some dead, some living.

All the fishermen were not equally lucky. Those who yet breathed when

brought into the air and light, and their faces washed and restoratives

given, began to move their limbs and gaze around them, as if awakened

from a deep sleep. Auristella found herself in the arms of Arnoldo,

Transila in those of Clodio; Ricla and Constance were carried out by

Rutilio and the elder Antonio. As for Antonio, the son, nobody carried

him, for he walked out by himself, and Maurice did the like. Arnoldo

was more full of surprise and wonder than even the newly-restored ones,

and almost as senseless as the dead corpses. Auristella looked at him,

but without recognition. The first words she uttered were, (and she it

was who first broke the universal silence,) "Is the beautiful Sinforosa

here by chance among these persons, O my brother?"

"Great Heavens! what is this I hear?" said Arnoldo to himself; "what

means this strange inquiry after Sinforosa, at a moment when she ought

only to be thinking of returning thanks to Heaven for her wonderful

preservation?" Nevertheless he answered that she was there present, and

asked how she knew anything about her, for of course he was ignorant of

all that Auristella had learned from the captain of the vessel touching

Periander and his success at the games; and he could not divine the

reason of Auristella inquiring for Sinforosa. Had he divined it, such

is the force of jealousy, that it would have pierced into the inmost

recesses of his enamoured heart like a knife, and would almost have

separated soul and body.

As soon as the resuscitated ones had a little recovered from their

terror, and those around from their astonishment, they began confusedly

asking questions one of another; how those they found on land had

come there; and they in their turn, how these had been in the wrecked

vessel. Polycarp, seeing that she had filled with water through the

aperture which had been made, now commanded that she should be towed

into the harbour, and drawn ashore by means of machinery, which was

speedily done. All the people who had been in the hull now came ashore,

and were received by the king and his daughters, and all the principal

citizens, with as much joy as admiration; but what chiefly excited

this, especially in Sinforosa, was the incomparable loveliness of

Auristella. Transila, too, was very much admired; and the odd, but

becoming dress, the youth and grace of the fair barbarian, Constance,

(not to mention the comeliness of her mother, Ricla,) did not pass

unnoticed.

The city being near, without more ado they all went thither on foot.

Periander had, during this time, found an opportunity of speaking

to Auristella, Ladislaus to Transila, and Antonio to his wife and

children; all were relating their adventures to one another; only

Auristella was silent, occupied entirely in looking at Sinforosa. But

at length she said to Periander, "Is that very beautiful lady, who

is walking yonder, by chance the king's daughter; and is her name

Sinforosa?"

"She is," answered Periander, "one in whom beauty and courtesy unite."

"Very courteous she ought to be," replied Auristella, "for she is very

beautiful."

"Even if she were not so much so," he rejoined, "the obligations I owe

to her, my sweet sister, would make her seem fair in my eyes."

"If you go by obligations, and if they help to enhance beauty, mine

must then seem the greatest on earth to you, according to those you owe

me."

"We cannot," said Periander, "compare things divine with things human.

Praise and hyperbole, however excessive, has each its limit. When

one says a woman is more beautiful than an angel, it is a kind of

exaggeration by courtesy; in thy case alone, O sweetest sister mine,

rules fail, and truth only gathers strength from speaking of thy

beauty."

"If my sufferings and my miseries have not injured mine, O my brother,

I might perhaps believe that the praises you bestow upon it are true;

but I put my hope in a compassionate Heaven, that my sorrows may at

last be one day turned into joy, and my troubles into prosperity.

Meanwhile, I implore you, never to let what you owe to me be erased

from your memory by any other charms or obligations whatsoever; but

that mine may satisfy your heart, and fill the vacuum there, if you

find that the beauty of my mind and person, such as it is, offers a

compound of charms that can satisfy your wishes."

Periander was confounded to hear Auristella speak thus. He saw that

she was jealous, a new thing in her; since in all his experience of

her character, he had never known her before to depart from the bounds

of politeness: never before had her lips opened to express any but

the purest and most modest thoughts. Never had she uttered a word,

that might not have been spoken to a brother, in public as well as in

private.

Arnoldo, on his side, was discontented and jealous of Periander.

Ladislaus was rejoiced to have again his betrothed Transila; Maurice

was satisfied with his daughter and son-in-law; Antonio happy to be

restored to his wife and children; Rutilio, with the reunion of the

whole party; and the gossip-loving Clodio with the fair opportunity

that offered itself of having a fine and marvellous story to tell,

wherever he went, of such remarkable events as these.

They reached the city, and the generous Polycarp treated his new guests

royally, and lodged them all in his palace; honouring most Arnoldo,

whom he now knew to be the heir of Denmark, who had left his country

for love of Auristella; and as soon as he had looked upon her lovely

face, he confessed that he found there full and sufficient excuse for

him.

Polycarpa and Sinforosa assigned to Auristella a lodging in their own

apartments; Sinforosa could never take her eyes off from looking at

her, thanking Heaven that she was the sister, and not the beloved, of

Periander; and adoring her, both on account of her excessive beauty and

of her relationship to him. She could not bear her to be out of her

sight a single instant; she watched closely her every action, attended

to every word she spoke, admired her graceful motions, and took delight

even in the very tones of her voice.

In the same manner, and as closely did Auristella watch and observe

Sinforosa, but with very different feelings. Auristella's observations

were excited by her jealousy, Sinforosa's by simple benevolence and

love.

They remained in the city many days, reposing after all their

sufferings; and Arnoldo was now beginning to plan a return to Denmark,

or wherever Auristella and Periander might approve, showing as he had

always done, that he had no will but theirs.

Clodio, always idle and inquisitive, had watched Arnoldo closely,

and saw how much he had at heart the love of Auristella. One day,

being alone with him, he said, "I, who have always been accustomed

to find fault with princes publicly, without preserving the respect

due to their high rank, would now fain, in private, speak my mind

freely to you. What I ask of you is, that you will hear patiently the

advice I am about to give, and let my motive plead my excuse, if it

is unpleasing to you." Arnoldo was puzzled, not knowing what Clodio

was going to say; however, he determined to hear him, and so told him

he might say freely what he pleased; and Clodio, satisfied with this

safe conduct, proceeded thus:--"My lord, you love Auristella. I may

say more, you adore her; and, as I understand, you know no more of her

history, nor who she is, than what she has been pleased to tell you;

and that is--nothing! You have kept her in your power more than two

years, during which, I have heard, you took all the pains possible to

conquer her severity, and gain her heart, wishing to make her yours by

lawful marriage, and yet that she is as cold and immoveable now, as

she was the first day you spoke to her; whence I argue, that she is as

deficient in understanding, as you are superabundant in patience; and

it is worthy of consideration, whether there may not exist some great

mystery, causing a woman thus to refuse a kingdom, and reject a prince

so worthy of being loved. Likewise, it is mysterious to see a wandering

damsel, her rank unknown, accompanied only by a youth, who though he

calls himself her brother, may yet not be so, going about from one

country to another, from island to island, exposed to the inclemency of

the weather, and to the rude treatment and dangers of the land, as well

as of the ocean. Honour is dearer than life itself. A wise man should

permit reason to moderate his pleasures, and ought not to give way to

his own desires." Clodio was here about to enter upon a philosophical

and serious tirade, when Periander came in, and interrupted his

oration, greatly to his annoyance, and also to that of Arnoldo, who

wished to hear him out. Maurice, Ladislaus, and Transila also came in,

and with them Auristella, supported by Sinforosa, so ill, that it was

necessary to convey her to her bed; her illness causing such agonies of

alarm in the bosoms of Periander and Arnoldo, that they stood nearly as

much in need of a physician as Auristella.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER III.

_Sinforosa reveals her love to Auristella._

The instant that the king heard of Auristella's illness, he sent his

physicians to visit her. They discovered that her ailment proceeded

more from the mind than the body. Arnoldo and Periander had partly

guessed this, and Clodio better than anybody.

The physicians ordered that she should never be left alone, and that

they should try and divert her mind with music, if she took pleasure

in hearing it, or with any other cheerful amusement. Sinforosa took

upon herself the care of the invalid, and bestowed her company upon her

continually--a kindness which Auristella could willingly have excused,

seeing that it was keeping the very cause of her illness always before

her eyes. She could not expect a cure, because she was resolved not to

tell what ailed her.

She was at length left alone in her apartment with only the two

princesses; Sinforosa soon found an excuse to get rid of Polycarpa; and

hardly did she see herself alone with Auristella, than embracing her,

and pressing both her hands closely in her own, with deep and heavy

sighs, she seemed as if she wished to translate her own soul into

the body of Auristella, who was greatly disturbed by her emotion, and

said, "What ails you, lady, what mean these signs of suffering; as if

you, more than myself, required the aid of a physician? Tell me how I

can help you, or serve you; for although my body is weak, my will is

strong."

"Sweet friend, how much your offer gratifies me," answered Sinforosa,

"and with the same readiness you show in obliging me, I will reply,

without any affected politeness, or frigid compliments. My sister, for

I must call you by that name whilst life endures, my sister! I am in

love; very much in love; but shame, and being what I am, restrain my

tongue. Must I die in silence? Is there any miracle that can cure my

complaint?"

Sinforosa said all this, with so many sighs and tears that Auristella

was moved to dry her eyes and embrace her, saying, "Do not die, O most

afflicted lady, with thus constraining your tongue to silence. Cast

away for a time shame and bashfulness, and confide your secret to me;

for griefs communicated, if not healed, are at least alleviated; if,

as I guess, your sorrows are those of love, well do I know that you

are made of flesh and blood, although you look like alabaster; and as

I also know that our hearts are formed to be restless, and that they

cannot help loving those whom their stars have decreed they must love,

whether they will or no. Tell me then, lady, who it is you love; for,

as it is not probable that you have, like some in ancient story, taken

a bull, or a shower of gold and silver for the object of your worship,

it must needs be some man that you adore; and this will not cause

either fear or amazement in me, for I am woman as you are, and have

my own inclinations and feelings; and though they have never escaped

from my lips for maiden shame, yet they might well have done so in

the unconsciousness of fever. But the hour will come at last when all

disguise must cease; and it may be that in my last will, you will learn

the cause of my death."

Sinforosa kept looking at her all the while she spoke, and treasured

every word she uttered as if it were an oracle.

"Ah, me! sweet lady," said she, "I believe that you were sent hither

through such extraordinary ways, by Heaven itself, miraculously sent

to this land to comfort and console me in my sorrows; and that you

were out of the dark hold of the vessel restored to the light of day,

to bring light to my darkened soul, and rescue it from the trouble it

has been in; and so, not to keep you or myself longer in suspense,

you shall know that to this island came your brother, Periander;" and

then she detailed in regular succession the facts of his arrival, the

triumphs and honours that he had won, and the difficulties he had

conquered, as we have already described. She further told how the grace

and beauty of Periander had awakened in her mind a sort of feeling that

at first was not love, but simple kindness and admiration; how in time,

with idleness and dwelling upon the subject, and accustoming herself to

contemplate his graces, love began to represent him to her, not as a

simple individual, but rather as a prince, that if he was not one, he

deserved so to be. "This idea weighed upon my mind, and unthinkingly

I suffered it to rest there, without making any resistance; and so by

little and little I came to like him, to love him, and even to adore

him as I have told you."

She would have said more, if at this instant Polycarpa had not

returned, desirous of amusing Auristella, with a small harp in her

hands to which she was singing. Sinforosa was agitated; Auristella

thunderstruck; but the emotion of the one, and the stupor of the

other did not prevent them both from lending an attentive ear to

the incomparable musician, who sang the following words in her own

language, which Antonio afterwards translated thus--

SONG.

If nothing, Cynthia, can avail

To win thy lost heart back again,

Give way to grief, relinquish life,

'Tis nothing worth, why not complain?

The maiden pride with which thou fain

The fatal passion would subdue,

Itself will strike the murd'rous blow,

Too late shalt thou thy silence rue.

Poor broken heart! thy latest sigh

Shall breathe at last thy secret woe;

Far wiser had it timely told

Its tale of sorrow long ago.

Lamenting thee, the world shall learn

How deep the love thy heart had cherished,

And some perchance may vainly grieve

To think how true a heart has perished.

Nobody understood Polycarpa's verses so well as Sinforosa; her sister

was acquainted with all her wishes; and although she had determined to

bury them in silence, she now desired to follow her advice by telling

her thoughts to Auristella as she had already begun to do. Many times

did Sinforosa visit Auristella, giving her to understand that it was

more from civility than inclination: at length she one day resumed the

subject of their previous conversation, saying, "Hear me once more,

dear lady, and do not be weary of my discourse; my heart will burst if

I do not speak; and the fear of this in spite of shame, forces me to

tell you that I must die if I cannot obtain your brother's love; his

virtues have so enslaved my heart, that, without knowing what may be

his birth, country, or means of living, I only see the liberal gifts

with which nature has endowed him. For himself alone, I love him; for

himself alone, I desire to marry him; and I beseech you not to think

amiss of my hasty passion, but do me all the good in your power.

I have immense wealth left me by my mother, unknown to my father.

What I am, you see; I may not deserve his love, but do I merit his

aversion? Give me your brother as my husband. Be my sister; I will

divide my riches with you. I will find a husband for you, who may be

one day elected king of this country." Sinforosa held Auristella's

hands in hers, bathing them with her tears, as she poured forth her

love-sick soul. Auristella wept also; judging by her own feelings what

must be the conflict of an enamoured heart; and, although she saw a

rival in Sinforosa, still she pitied her; and the more that she had

never offended her in any way that could demand vengeance; her fault

was the same as her own, her wishes the same. She could not condemn

the princess without finding herself guilty of the same crime. What

Auristella was most anxious to discover was, if she had ever bestowed

any favours on Periander, even of the smallest kind; or whether by word

or look she had ever betrayed her tenderness to him. Sinforosa replied,

that never once had she possessed boldness enough to raise her eyes

to those of Periander, or look at him but with the reserve she owed to

her high rank and station; and that the license of her tongue had not

exceeded that of her eyes. "I believe you, truly," said Auristella;

"but is it possible that he has never shown you any signs of love? If

he loves you, and he surely must, for I do not think he has a heart of

marble, beauty such as yours must have touched and softened his. It is

my opinion that before I can get over this difficulty, you must try

to speak with him, and find an occasion to bestow some modest favour

upon him; for sometimes unexpected and unsought favours will arouse and

inflame the most lukewarm and careless hearts. If once he answers to

your feelings, it will be easy for me to make him satisfy you in all

things. The beginning, my friend, is the only difficulty in all things;

in love affairs, especially, most difficult. I do not advise you to

be either precipitate or forward; for the favours of a maiden to him

she loves, however chaste they may be, never appear so; and you must

not venture honour for the sake of pleasure. Discreet conduct may do

much; and love, subtle master of the art of conveying thoughts, offers

opportunity and time to the most troubled, that they may exchange them

without any danger."

[Illustration]

CHAPTER IV.

_Wherein is continued the History of Sinforosa's Love._

The enamoured Sinforosa listened attentively to the prudent counsels of

Auristella; but without replying to them, she returned to take up again

the thread of their past discourse, saying, "You shall see, my friend,

to what extremities this love for your brother has brought me; it made

me send a captain, one of my father's guard, in search of him; and

to bring him back to my presence, either by force or by his own good

will. The vessel in which he embarked is the same in which you arrived

hither, for his body was found among the dead."

"Very probably," answered Auristella, "for I heard from his lips a

great part of what you have told me; insomuch, that I had already a

notion, although somewhat confused, of your feelings towards him;

which, if it be possible, I wish you to calm and compose, till you are

able to discover them to my brother, or till I can undertake to find a

remedy for you, which shall be as soon as you have told me what is the

result of your interview. You cannot fail in finding an opportunity

shortly." Sinforosa renewed her thanks to Auristella, and she in return

anew expressed her sympathy.

Meantime, whilst this was passing between the Princess and Auristella,

Arnoldo was in the company of Clodio, who was dying to disturb or

destroy, if possible, the tender sentiments he entertained for

Auristella, and finding him alone (if a man can be said to be alone

whose soul is continually occupied with one image) said to him, "I told

you, my lord, the other day, how little dependance was to be placed

on the volatile nature of woman; and after all Auristella is a woman,

though to you she seems an Angel. And Periander is a man, although he

is her brother. Now, I am far from wishing to excite evil suspicions in

your breast, but merely to create a little prudent caution, and if you

think what I suggest is reasonable, I wish you sometimes to consider

who you are, the loneliness of your father; how much your presence

is wanted by your vassals; the chance that may happen of even losing

your kingdom, which is as a vessel deserted by its pilot! I would have

you observe that princes are usually obliged to marry, not merely for

beauty, but for high birth; not for riches so much as for virtue and

noble qualities, that they may give good successors to the kingdom. It

lessens the respect which a people owe to the sovereign, if they see

him demean himself in an alliance; and it is not enough to say that a

king stands so high and is so great himself, that it matters nothing

if the wife he selects be of low degree. Therefore, my noble lord,

either return to your kingdom, or look well and with caution that you

are not deceived; and pardon this boldness in me, for although I have

the character of being an evil-speaker and a backbiter, I do not wish

to be thought bad intentioned; with you I would fain find a shelter,

and beneath the shield of your valour I would spend my life, fearing

no more the storms of fate, for already a better star seems dawning to

amend my character and life, hitherto so depraved."

"I thank you, Clodio," replied Arnoldo, "for your good advice, but I

cannot profit by it or accept it. Auristella is virtuous; Periander is

her brother; and I cannot doubt this, because she has herself said so;

and for me, her word is truth. I adore her; there is no denying that

the infinite measure of her beauty raises her so far above my desires,

that I exist only in her, and for her alone has been, is, and will be,

life desirable. Therefore, O Clodio, counsel me no more; for your words

are only scattered to the winds, and my conduct will prove how useless

is all your advice."

Clodio shrugged his shoulders, hung his head, and left the prince's

presence, resolved to attempt no more to be his adviser; because, to

be so, requires three qualities, the first is authority, the second

prudence, and the third is to be acceptable, and the counsel desired.

These amorous struggles and distresses were busy in the palace of King

Polycarp and the bosoms of the lovers. Auristella jealous; Sinforosa,

love-lorn; Periander, uneasy; Arnoldo, pertinacious; and Maurice busy

arranging plans for returning to his own country, sorely against

Transila's inclination, who had no wish to go back to a place of which

the customs and manners were so rude and barbarous; her husband,

Ladislaus, neither dared nor desired to contradict her. The elder

Antonio was dying to see himself, his wife and children in Spain; and

Rutilio sighed after Italy, his native land. Each had wishes, yet was

not a single one of them accomplished; this is the lot of humanity,

which though God created it perfect, was by our sin made imperfect; and

this imperfection we must endure until we cease to wish for anything.

It happened, then, that Sinforosa almost purposely gave Periander an

opportunity of being alone with Auristella, wishing to afford her a

means of opening the subject of her case, the sentence of which would

be to her that of life or death. The first words Auristella said, were,

"This, our pilgrimage, my lord and brother, so full of sufferings and

surprises, threatening so many dangers, daily and hourly, leaves me in

fear of death; and I wish we could form some plan to make life more

secure, by remaining quiet in some place; nowhere shall we find one

better than this where we are now, for here are riches offered you

abundantly, not only promises but in reality. And, moreover, a nobly

born and most beautiful wife, worthy of being wooed instead of herself

wooing you, offers her hand to your acceptance."

Whilst Auristella thus spoke, Periander regarded her so attentively

that he never moved his eye-lashes; he followed her rapid discourse to

discover whither her reasoning was going to lead to; but soon going

on, she relieved him from his confusion, saying, "My brother! for

by this name I must call you, let your condition be what it may, I

say that Sinforosa adores you, and wishes to marry you. I say, that

she has immense riches and immense beauty; I say, immense, for it is

such that it can hardly be exaggerated; and as far as I have seen,

she is well-conditioned, of quick intellect, and of manners discreet

and modest. According to present appearances, such an alliance would

not come amiss to you; we are far away from our native country; you,

persecuted by your brother, and I, by my hard fate. As to our journey

to Rome, the more we try to accomplish it, the more do difficulties

increase; my intentions are unchanged, but I tremble, and I do not wish

death to surprise me amidst terror and danger; therefore I think of

ending my life in a religious house, and I wish you to finish yours in

prosperity."

Here Auristella ceased speaking, and began to shed such floods of

tears, that they contradicted and blotted out all she had said. She

drew her arms modestly out of the coverlet, and turned her head to

the opposite side from that where Periander was; who seeing things at

such an extremity, and having heard her last words, remained without

power to speak or move; the sight left his eyes, his breath failed, and

he sunk upon his knees on the floor, his head resting upon the bed.

Auristella turned hers, and seeing that he had fainted, she put her

hand upon his face, and bathed his cheeks with her tears, which fell

drop by drop without his being conscious of it.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER V.

_What passed between the King and his daughter Sinforosa._

There are in nature many things, of which we do not know the cause.

Some persons have their teeth set on edge when they see a loaf cut

with a knife; sometimes a man trembles at sight of a rat; I have seen

another shudder over the cutting of a radish: and others leave the

table, at a formal dinner, on seeing olives placed upon it. Ask the

cause? no one can tell it; and they who fancy they can best solve

the mystery, say, that the stars have a certain antipathy with the

temperature of the man, inclining him to certain actions, fears, and

aversions, touching the before-mentioned things, and others similar

that occur every day. One of the definitions of man, is to say that he

is a laughing animal, for man only laughs, and no other animal; and

I think that we may also say, he is a weeping animal--an animal that

weeps.

It is lawful for a wise man to weep for three things. For having

committed a sin; when he asks pardon for it; and for jealousy. No other

tears suit the dignity of a grave man.

Let us return then to the fainting Periander; and although he weeps

neither as a sinner nor as a penitent, he sheds the tears of a jealous

lover; but he lacks not one who will both excuse his tears, and even

wipe them away, as Auristella did, who had thrown him into this

condition more from artifice than honestly meaning all she said. He

at length recovered his senses, and hearing steps in the apartment,

he turned his head and saw beside him Ricla and Constance, who were

come to visit Auristella. He seized the opportunity of departing,

not finding words wherewith to answer his mistress, so he retired to

consider the advice she had given him.

Sinforosa, meanwhile, was longing to hear the sentence that had been

pronounced in the court of love, on the first hearing of her suit; and

she would, doubtless, have been first to visit Auristella instead of

Ricla and Constance, but that she was prevented doing so, by receiving

a message from the king her father, who required her immediate

presence. She went to him, and found him alone. Polycarp made her sit

near him; and, after a few moments' silence, in a low voice (as if

he feared being overheard) he said, "Daughter, although thy tender

youth has probably kept thee in ignorance of that passion which is

called love; and although my maturer age might well preserve me from

its jurisdiction, yet nature will sometimes deviate from its regular

course, lighting up the flame of love in the bosom of a mere girl, and

consuming with its blaze the dry heart of the old man."

When Sinforosa heard her father speak thus, she never doubted but

that he knew her wishes, nevertheless she was silent, not liking to

interrupt him, until he should have spoken more clearly; in the

meantime her heart was beating quickly. Her father went on, saying,

"After I lost your mother, O my daughter, I devoted myself to the

study of your gratification and comfort. I have done in all things as

you advised, and as you well know have hitherto preserved strictly

and carefully the state of widowhood, as much for the sake of my own

character as to keep the Catholic faith which I profess; but since the

arrival of these new guests in our city, all the former regularity

of my mind has been disconcerted, and the steady course of my life

has been disturbed; and, finally, I have fallen from the summit of

my boasted discretion, to the very lowest abyss of I know not what

desires, which I must die of, if I keep silence, and if I declare

them I am disgraced. No longer will I keep you in suspense, daughter,

no longer will I be silent. If you would hear further, know that I

am dying for love of Auristella; the rays of her bright beauty have

penetrated even to the depths of my dried-up heart. I would wish, if

it were possible, in giving to you and your sister a step-mother, that

her great merits should excuse my so doing; if you agree with me, I

care for nothing else that will be said; and as to that, if people

think me mad, I will leave my kingdom, and reign only in the heart of

my Auristella. There would then be on earth no monarch who could be

compared to me. Now, daughter, it is my wish that you should tell her

of this, and learn from her what is very important for me to know,

(although I do not believe she will make many difficulties,) whether

her prudence will esteem my station and authority enough counterpoise

to my age, and whether my riches may be set against the difference of

our years. It is a great thing to be a queen; it is a great thing to

command. Honours are enjoyable things; and amusement and pleasure are

not only to be found in marriages where the ages are equal. In reward

for this embassy that I employ you in, I am thinking of improving your

own condition; if you are as wise as I think you are, you will scarcely

desire anything better. Look you, now, there are four things which a

person of high rank requires; these are, a good wife, a good house, a

good horse, and good armour. The two first are equally necessary for a

woman, and even more so, for the wife does not raise her husband, but

the husband does raise the wife; so, Auristella, let her be who she

may, being my wife will become a queen; and her brother, Periander,

being my brother-in-law, and I giving him to you as a husband, and

honouring him with the title of my brother, you will be as great in

being his wife, as in being my daughter."

"But," said Sinforosa, "how do you know, Sire, that Periander is not

already married, and even if he is not, that he wishes to marry me?"

"I think," said the king, "that one may presume he is unmarried, from

his wandering life through foreign countries, a thing incompatible with

domestic life. That he will love you, I feel assured, both from his

well-known sense and prudence, which will point out the advantages of

such an alliance; and since the beauty of his sister makes her a queen,

it would not be wonderful that yours should make him wish to be your

husband."

With these last words, and with this fair prospect, did the king

delight Sinforosa's fancy; thus gratifying all her desires; and she,

without crossing those of her father, promised to undertake his

negotiation of a marriage with Auristella, and accepted the offer of

the yet unnegotiated one with Periander; only she said that it was

best to be cautious in giving him to her as a husband; for even if the

qualities of his mind equalled his valour, it would be as well not

to be too hasty till the experience of a few more days should have

confirmed their opinion; and yet at this moment, to obtain him for a

husband, she would have given all she had or desired to have in the

world; so in the case of illustrious ladies, the tongue says one thing

while the heart feels another.

While this was passing between Polycarp and his daughter, in another

room a conversation was going on between Rutilio and Clodio. "Look

you, now, friend Rutilio, what is this Arnoldo doing here, following

Auristella like her shadow, and leaving his country to the care of

his old father, who is nearly in his dotage--almost beside himself at

one moment, overwhelmed at another, weeping here, sighing there, and

bitterly complaining of the fate he himself has worked out? What are

we to think of this Auristella and her brother; a pair of vagabonds,

concealing their birth, perhaps, to make it doubtful whether they may

not be of an illustrious family; for he who quits his country, and

goes where nobody knows him, may easily give himself any parentage he

pleases, and even if he be sufficiently skilful may pretend to come

from the sun or moon. I don't deny that they are both worthy of being

admired and praised, but they may be this without prejudice to a third

person. Honour and praise are due to virtue, but not to deceit and

hypocrisy. Who can he be, this wrestler and fencer, this runner and

leaper, this Ganymede, this charmer, who is bought here and sold there,

who acts as an Argus to the delicate Auristella, and will hardly let

anybody look at her too near? No one knows who they are, or whence they

came, or where they are going? But that which disturbs me most of all

is, that, by the eleven heavens, which they say there are, I swear to

you, Rutilio, I cannot persuade myself they are brother and sister;

even if they are, I cannot divine why they are journeying about by sea

and land; they have nothing to spend but what comes out of the wallets

and sacks full of golden ingots that belong to the barbarians, Ricla

and Constance. It is true that the diamond cross and the two pearls,

which Auristella wears, are an immense treasure, and of great value,

but they are not things to be changed or pledged by little and little.

Then to think that they always find kings to give them hospitality, and

princes to make favourites of them, as if they were privileged ones!

And then, Rutilio, what are we to think of the fancies of Transila and

of the father, who imagines himself the first astrologer of the age? I

would lay any wager that Ladislaus would gladly be at home in his own

country, in peace and quiet, instead of being forced to live upon the

charity of others. And this our Spanish barbarian, whose arrogance is

so excessive, I would lay anything that if Heaven should restore him

to his own country he would be a fine boaster, going about showing his

wife and children in their skin dresses, making plans and pictures

of the barbarous isle, and pointing out with a rod the place where

he was shut up for fourteen years; the dungeon of the captives; and

telling the whole history of the ridiculous ideas and expectations of

the barbarians, and the sudden conflagration of their island. He would

just do like those who, when freed from Turkish slavery, carry their

chains on their backs, having got rid of them on their legs and relate

the tale of their misfortunes with piteous voices and humble prayers

for charity in Christian lands. But this shows that although it appears

as if they told us very improbable things, yet that the human race is

subject ever to greater perils, and the histories that are related by

exiles however marvellous, are yet credible."

"To what does all this lead, O Clodio?" said Rutilio.

"I was going on to show thee, O Rutilio, that in these regions thou

canst not well avail thyself of thy profession where the inhabitants

neither dance nor enjoy any other pastimes save such as Bacchus offers

in his jocund cup and wanton drinks: It seems to me, that having by

the blessing of Heaven and the courtesy of Arnoldo, escaped death I

would neither thank one nor the other, till I had tried to amend my

lot, although it should be at the price of displeasing the latter.

Friendship may endure between the poor, for equality of fortune helps

to link hearts together. Between the rich and the poor friendship can

never last, there is too much difference between them."

"Thou art a philosopher, Clodio," said Rutilio, "but I cannot imagine

what means we can take to amend our lot, as thou sayest, supposing it

to have been bad from our birth. I am not so learned as thou art, but

I plainly see that those who are born of lowly parentage, if Heaven

does not sufficiently aid them, very seldom rise to any very notable

situation, unless their own great virtue and merit assists them. Now,

how canst thou expect such assistance, if thine consists chiefly

in speaking ill of thy fellow men? and what is to elevate me, when

the utmost that I can do is to cut a caper? I am a dancer; thou art

a backbiter. I, condemned to the gallows in my own country; thou,

banished from thine for evil speaking. How can we expect to improve our

condition?"

Clodio was silent, and paused before he replied; with which pause the

author ends this chapter of his history.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VI.

_Sinforosa makes her Father's wishes known to Auristella._

Every one of our party had somebody with whom to exchange confidential

conversation--Polycarp with his daughter; Clodio, with Rutilio; but

the astounded Periander held converse with himself alone; for the

discourse that Auristella had held so bewildered him, that he knew

not where to turn for relief to the trouble of his mind. "O Heaven!"

he said to himself, "what can this mean? Has she forgotten our

agreement? Has she lost her senses? Auristella, my betrothed wife?

what have I to do with Sinforosa? What kingdoms, what wealth could

make me leave my Sigismunda, unless I cease to be Persiles?" As he

uttered these words, he bit his lips, and looked around to see that

no one heard what he said, which having ascertained, he went on,

saying, "Doubtless, Auristella is jealous, and the jealous can imagine

anything, and be jealous of the very wind that blows, the sun that

shines, the ground you tread upon. O lady mine, be careful what you

do; injure not your own worth, nor your beauty, nor deprive me of the

glory of my constancy, the honesty and strength of which is weaving

for me an inestimable crown as a true lover. Beautiful, rich, and

high-born is Sinforosa; but, compared with you, she is ugly, she is

poor, she is low-born; consider, lady, that love is engendered either

by choice or destiny. The love which is fated always comes to pass

in its own time. That which is from choice, may increase or diminish

as the causes which excited the affection increase or diminish; and

this being true, for true it is, I feel that my love for you has no

bounds wherewith to measure it, no words wherein to express it. I may

almost say, I have loved you since I was in the swaddling clothes of

my infancy. That proves it was my destiny; but as I grew in years and

in understanding, that love grew also, with the qualities in you that

made you so loveable. I saw them, I contemplated them, I knew them,

and I engraved them upon my heart, and from your heart and mine there

was formed one, so single and united that it can only be divided again

by death. Talk no more, then, my beloved one, of Sinforosas, nor offer

to tempt me with beauty, or wealth, or kingdoms. Still let the sweet

name of brother sound in mine ears; all that I am now saying to myself

I would fain say to you; but it would be impossible, for the glances

of those bright eyes, especially when they are angry, disturb me and

chain my tongue. It is better to write, for the words will be the same

and you can read them over and over again, and ever find in them one

same truth, one constant faith, and an earnest desire to be believed.

I resolve then to write to you." And with this determination he became

calmer, and the more that he felt he could better express his feelings

by the pen than by speech. We will leave Periander to write his letter,

and go to hear what passed between Auristella and Sinforosa, who was

longing to know what Periander had said, and therefore sought to see

her alone, and at the same time to break to her her father's wishes;

believing that they need only be declared to be accepted, since riches

and honours are rarely despised especially by women, the greater number

of whom are by nature avaricious, as they are also for the most part

proud and haughty.

Auristella felt very little pleased to see Sinforosa, for she did not

well know what to say to her, not having seen Periander again. However,

Sinforosa before entering upon her own affairs, wished to settle those

of her father; imagining that with these news, which she thought so

calculated to give her pleasure, she should have her on her side, on

which she thought her success would depend; so she said, "Without a

doubt, most beautiful Auristella, Heaven favours you; for it appears

to me that it would shower prosperity upon your head. The king, my

father, adores you, and has told me to say, that he desires to take

you for his wife; and, as a recompense for the hoped for 'Yes!' that I

am to bring him, he has promised Periander to me as a husband. You are

already, lady, a queen, already is Periander mine; already riches pour

upon you; and, if you do not object to the gray hairs of my father, you

will find pleasure in the authority you will have over the subjects

and vassals who will be eager to serve you. I have told you much, dear

lady, and much have I to expect at your hands; for when a thing is of

great value, one cannot expect less than a great gratitude. Let us

begin to consider ourselves as two sisters-in-law, who love each other

dearly, and tell me now what your brother said in reply to what you

told him of me? I feel confident that the answer is favourable, for it

is natural that your words should be received as oracles by him."

To all this Auristella answered, "My brother is grateful as a

gentleman, and discreet as a pilgrim, who has seen and read much;

and watched the ways of men. The sufferings and troubles we have

experienced have made us know fully the value of quiet and repose; and

since what is now offered to our acceptance is such, I do not doubt

that we shall have to agree with it; but as yet Periander has never

said a word, nor do I know anything from him that can either forward

or depress your hopes. Allow him time, O beautiful Sinforosa, and let

us consider well these offers; for although we quite appreciate their

value, yet a step that we can only take once, can never be retaken if

it happen to be an error. Marriage is one of these actions; therefore

it is desirable that we should consider it thoroughly before resolving

upon it. Go, I pray you, my sister, and let Periander be sent for to

me, for I could wish to let him know this joyful news that you have

just told me, and take counsel with him how it will beseem me to act;

for I owe respect and obedience to him as an elder brother."

Sinforosa made no reply, but embraced and left her, to go and give

orders that Periander should be sent for. He, meanwhile, had been shut

up alone and had taken his pen, and after many beginnings and blottings

out, and addings to, he had at length completed a letter which ran

thus:--

"Not daring to trust to words, I use the pen; not, however, that I

trust even to this, for how can he who is momentarily in fear of death

write anything to the purpose. I have just learned that even the wise

and prudent do not always know how to give advice. Forgive me if I

cannot accept yours. It seems to me that either you do not know me, or

you have forgotten yourself. Be yourself again, dear lady, and do not

allow a vain emotion of jealousy to transport you beyond the bounds of

reason and the use of your own fine understanding. Think well who you

are, and do not forget who I am. In yourself you will see the epitome

of all that is valuable or to be desired; and in me all that can be

conceived of true love and constancy. Trusting in this, fear not that

any other charms can inflame my heart, nor believe that any other can

come before your virtue and beauty. Let us proceed on our journey,

let us fulfil our vow, and cast aside all fruitless jealousies and

baseless suspicions. With the more eagerness and speed would I entreat

you to leave this country, because it seems to me that in quitting it I

shall escape from the purgatory of torment I now endure, and enter the

glorious heaven which will re-open for me, when I no longer see you a

prey to jealousy."

Thus wrote Periander, after having made six copies, and folding the

paper, he went out to see Auristella, having received her message.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VII.

_How Rutilio, being enamoured of Polycarpa, and Clodio of Auristella,

wrote Letters declaring their Love; Rutilio, perceiving he has done

wrong, burns his Letter without showing it, but Clodio determines to

present his to Auristella._

Rutilio and Clodio, the pair who were disposed to try and mend their

fortunes; one, trusting to his abilities, and the other to his

impudence; thought themselves worthy of aspiring, one to Polycarpa,

the other to Auristella. The sweet voice and lively air of Polycarpa

pleased Rutilio infinitely, and the peerless charms of Auristella no

less delighted Clodio.

They sought an opportunity to unfold their wishes without getting into

any scrape by the declaration, for assuredly it was a bold thing for

a low-born man to give utterance to that which it was daring even to

think of. However, it does sometimes happen that the inclinations of

a high-born, though not virtuous lady, may embolden a low-born man to

declare his wishes; but certainly in the present case, the boldness of

these two gentlemen did not spring from any encouragement or want of

reserve on the part of their ladies, spring whence they might. Rutilio

at last wrote a letter to Polycarpa, and Clodio to Auristella, as

follows:--

RUTILIO TO POLYCARPA.

"I am, lady, a foreigner; and, although I should tell you my birth

was illustrious, as I can bring no witnesses to confirm it, possibly

it might find no belief in your mind; but as a proof that my family

is noble, suffice it that I am bold enough to tell you I adore you;

ask what proofs you please, to show the truth of this. It is for you

to ask, for me to give them. And since I desire to obtain you for my

wife, imagine that I desire according to what I am, and that I deserve

that which I desire; for noble minds aspire to noble things. Let your

eyes give an answer to this letter; and by the mildness or severity

of their glance, I shall judge whether it is the sentence of death or

life."

Rutilio put up this letter, intending to give it to Polycarpa the first

opportunity. He showed it, however first to Clodio, and Clodio gave him

the letter he had written to Auristella, which ran thus:--

CLODIO TO AURISTELLA.

"Some persons are entangled in the chains of love by the bait of

beauty; others, by that of lively and pleasing manners. Some, by the

merit they discover in her who has subdued them; but I have put my

neck into the yoke, and lost my freedom through compassion. It must

indeed have been a heart of stone, O beauteous lady, that felt not pity

in seeing you bought and sold and placed in such sad circumstances

that your last moment often seemed at hand. The pitiless steel has

threatened your throat; the flames have reached even your very garment.

The cold snow has frozen you, and hunger has enfeebled and faded the

bloom upon your cheeks, and lastly the sea engulphed and then cast

you forth. What aid in all these sufferings have you had unless it

be the slight assistance of a wandering prince, who follows you only

for his own ends, or that afforded by your brother, (if indeed he is

such,) that can relieve you from your miseries. Trust not lady, to

distant promises, but cling to succour which is near at hand, and

accept a means of safety which Heaven offers to you. I am a bachelor;

I have abilities that will avail me even in the most remote corners of

the world. I will form a plan to remove you from this land, and the

importunities of Prince Arnoldo, and taking you from this Egyptian

bondage, will bring you into a land of promise--Spain, France, or Italy

(as I cannot live in England, my own dear and beloved country). I here

then offer to be your husband; and from this moment I accept you as my

bride."

Rutilio having read this letter, said, "Truly, I think we have both

lost our wits to suppose we can fly without wings, our own pretensions

being to crawl like the emmet. In my opinion, Clodio, it will be best

to destroy these letters, for we are neither of us really in love,

and only an idle and absurd fancy has urged us to write in this way.

Love must have some foundation to rest upon, or it cannot exist;

failing this, it fails entirely. Now what have we to expect for our

pains but the rope to our necks, or the knife to our throats, the

more, because in this declaration of love we are traitors as well as

ingrates. Dost thou not see the immense distance that exists between

a dancing-master, who mended his means by becoming apprentice to a

silversmith, and the daughter of a king? And that which exists between

a banished backbiter and one who refuses and scorns a crown? Let us

forget our folly, and repent that necessity should have brought us to

such a pass. At any rate, this letter of mine shall go into the fire,

or be cast to the winds ere it reaches Polycarpa."

"You may do as you please with your's," answered Clodio; "as for mine,

whether I give it to Auristella or not, I intend to keep it as a sample

of my cleverness; but I doubt if I do not give it to her that I shall

find my conscience reproach me during the rest of my life for having

repented; it does not always follow that when one makes an attempt one

is to be punished for it."

This conversation passed between our two pretended lovers, but in fact

impudent knaves. In the meantime Periander had succeeded in having a

private interview with his Auristella. He entered her room intending

to give her the letter he had written, but when he saw her, forgetting

all the discourses and exculpations, which he had prepared, he said,

"Lady, look at me, am not I Periander, who was Persiles; and am I not

that Periander whom you loved? Can anything untie the knot that binds

us two together but death? and if it be so, what can you mean by giving

me advice so much against truth? By the bright heaven above us, and

by thine own brighter self, I implore thee to name Sinforosa no more,

nor imagine that either her beauty or her riches can avail to make me

forget thee and thy incomparable charms both of body and soul. This

body of mine, which only breathes for thee, I once again offer to

thee, although not possessing more advantages now than when I first

offered it to thy acceptance. Try to recover your health, dearest lady,

that we may quit this country, and I will try to contrive that we may

pursue our journey; for although Rome is the Heaven upon earth, still

it is not in the skies; and neither danger nor suffering shall prevent

us from reaching it at last, however we may be delayed in doing so."

Whilst Periander was speaking, Auristella was regarding him with

tenderness, and with tears of mingled compassion and jealous feeling;

but, finally, his lover-like pleading and the truth that shone through

every word, had their effect upon her jealous spirit, and she answered

in a few words, thus; "I do believe thee, beloved one, and have nothing

to desire but that thou wilt as speedily as may be take me from this

place. In another land I may hope to recover from the fever of jealousy

that has confined me to this bed."

"If," said Periander, "I had given the smallest cause for your thus

suffering, I would patiently hear your complaints, and you would find

in my exculpations a remedy for your sorrows; but as I have never

offended you in anything, I know not how to excuse myself. But I will

hasten to do as you require, and we will leave this country as soon as

possible."

"Would you know something that concerns you nearly?" she replied. "Then

hear the flattering offers which I have just received, the least of

which is a kingdom. Polycarp, the king, wishes to have me for a wife;

he sent to tell me this by his daughter, Sinforosa, and she hopes

through my good offices (I being her mother-in-law) to obtain you as a

husband. You know best whether this can be. If we are in any danger,

think well over it, and take what remedies you think proper for the

case: and pardon me for those doubts and suspicions whereby I have

offended you; love will excuse such faults as these."

"It is said," answered Periander, "that love cannot exist without

jealousy, and jealousy is often caused by the most trivial things.

All I ask of you, and which you owe to an understanding like yours,

is, that henceforth you should view my conduct with more candid and

less punctilious eyes, (with eyes more beautiful would be impossible,)

but not making of any small fault of mine, small as a grain of

mustard-seed, a mountain which reaches the skies, from which jealous

fancies spring; and for the rest, use your own judgment in dealing with

the king and Sinforosa, and do not offend her, but feign to give hopes

that may lead them to expect what they desire. And now I will leave

you, that our long interview may not lead to any suspicion." So saying,

Periander departed, and in leaving the room he met Clodio and Rutilio.

Rutilio had just torn up the letter he had written to Polycarpa, and

Clodio had folded up his and put it into his breast. Rutilio had

repented of his folly, but Clodio was satisfied with his own cleverness

and proud of his boldness: however, the time will come when he would

gladly give half his life (supposing a life to be divideable) not to

have written that letter.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VIII.

_What passed between Auristella and Sinforosa. All the Strangers

resolve to quit the Island._

King Polycarp greatly enlivened by his amorous intentions, and quite

confident and secure as to what Auristella's decision would be, set

himself already to plan the festivals and rejoicings, which should

celebrate the approaching wedding; in all which he never paused

to consider the great disparity between his age and the intended

bride's--the enormous distance of seventeen years and seventy; and even

had he been sixty, the difference would still have been too great. Thus

are even the wisest of men led away by the follies that love leads

them into. Thus, are they who have not power to resist their amorous

inclinations, subdued and carried away by the soft influence of the

tender passion. Quite different was the case of Sinforosa, who felt

no ways certain of what her fate would be; for, as is most natural,

they who hope much, fear much; and those things which might have given

weight to her hopes, such as her beauty, rank and station, and great

merits, she considered as nothing, for it is a peculiar property of

true love to make its votaries fearful that they are not worthy of the

beloved object. Love and fear are so coupled together, that one is

always to be found with the other; and true love is not arrogant, as

some say, but humble, timid and retiring; and the more precious and

inestimable is the thing beloved, the more does the lover tremble,

lest by some fault of his own he should lose it. The fair Sinforosa

considered all this quite differently from her father, and agitated

between hope and fear, she went to seek Auristella, and learn from

her what she had to expect. When she found herself with Auristella,

and alone, as she desired to be, so anxious was she to know whether

the tidings she had to impart were good or bad, that without uttering

a single word, she fixed her eyes earnestly on her face, in order to

discover there, the verdict of life or death. Auristella understood her

meaning, and half-smiling, as if in token of encouragement, she said,

"Although, lady, it does not seem that fear need put an axe to the root

of your tree of hope, to cut it down; yet true it is that both your

happiness and mine will have to be delayed some time, though it may at

last come to pass; for there are certain impediments in the way of your

desires, but not enough to make you despair of ever attaining them. My

brother says, that such is your merit and beauty, they must perforce

win the love of any man, and he is very sensible and grateful for the

preference you honour him with, and for your wish to become his wife;

but before this desirable event can be realized, it will be necessary

to deprive the Prince Arnoldo of his hopes of obtaining me as his wife,

and without doubt, this must be done if you should marry my brother;

for you must know, my sister, that I can no more exist apart from

Periander than can a body exist without a soul. Where he dwells, there

must I too dwell; he is the spirit that animates me--and this being so,

if he marries in this country, how could I live in Arnoldo's land, and

my brother absent?

"Now, to escape this misfortune that threatens me, it is settled that

we are to go with him to his kingdom, and from thence we shall ask

leave to go to Rome, for the performance of a vow, to fulfil which,

brought us from our own country, and I well know by experience that he

will refuse me nothing I desire. Once at liberty, it will be easy to

return to this island, and, by cheating his hopes, accomplish our own;

I, marrying your father, and you, my brother."

To which Sinforosa answered, "How shall I thank you sufficiently, sweet

sister, for all you have said; and so I will leave it as it stands, for

I know not how to express myself. But what I would now wish to say, you

must take more as a warning than a counsel; you are at present in this

country, where my father rules, and he both can and will defend you

from the whole world; and I do not think it would be well to place your

safety in doubt. Would it not be very possible for Arnoldo to carry

both you and your brother off by force; and is it not indispensable, if

you agree to my father's wishes, that he should retain you in his own

kingdom and house? Only give me the assurance that you willingly become

my father's wife, and that your brother disdains not to be my lord and

husband; and I will speedily smooth away all the difficulties that can

possibly arise on Arnoldo's part."

To which Auristella answered, "Prudent men look to the future as

well as to the present and the past. To inculpate your father in any

forcible act of detention, would awaken the wrath of Prince Arnoldo,

and he is a powerful prince, at least as great as your father; and a

deceived and disappointed monarch soon thinks of vengeance, and thus

instead of your gaining comfort by allying yourselves with us, we

should only bring you evil, involving your country in war: and if you

tell me that this will happen the same afterwards, whether we remain

now or return later, reflect that Heaven never sends misfortunes

without in time also offering a remedy. Therefore I am of opinion that

we go with Arnoldo, and that you discreetly and prudently solicit our

departure, and in so doing you will shorten our absence, and hasten

our return; and here, if it be not so large a country as Arnoldo's, we

may at least hope to enjoy peace and quiet more securely--I, with your

venerable and wise father, and you with my good and handsome brother,

without dividing us."

Sinforosa, on hearing her speak thus, quite beside herself with joy,

flung her arms round Auristella's neck, kissing her on the lips and

eyes. At this instant, the two seeming barbarians, Antonio and his son,

with Ricla and Constance, entered the room; and immediately after,

Maurice, Ladislaus and Transila followed, all wishing to see and speak

to Auristella, and learn what had caused her illness. Sinforosa took

leave, more joyful and even more deceived than when she came. They who

love, readily believe and catch at even the shadow of a promise of what

they wish.

After exchanging with Auristella the usual questions and answers that

pass between invalids and their visitors, Maurice said, "If even the

very beggar, when banished from his native land, where he leaves

nothing but the soil whereon he trod, feels regret, what must they

suffer who have left behind all that fortune could promise? I say this,

lady, because I am old and rapidly approaching my latter end, which

makes me wish earnestly to return home to my own country, where I have

friends and kindred who will close my eyes, and pay the last honours

to my remains. To attain this desirable end concerns us all equally,

for we are all foreigners and exiles, and all of us, I imagine, find

a charm in our own country we do not meet with in any other. If you,

lady, will solicit the king to assist our departure, or at least agree

that we shall try to effect it, it will be well; we cannot bear to

think of leaving you, for such is the power of your rare beauty and

great prudence that we consider you as the loadstone attracting us all."

"At least," said the elder Antonio, "I can answer for myself, for my

wife and children, that we would rather lose our lives than the company

of the lady, if she does not disdain ours."

"I thank you, gentlemen," replied Auristella, "for the obliging things

you are pleased to say; and although I can not respond to them as I

ought, yet I will try all that I can to carry your wishes into effect,

both with the prince Arnoldo and my brother, if my health, which is

already improving, does not prevent me. Till then the happy day of our

departure arrives, cheer up your hearts, do not give way to melancholy,

nor trouble yourself with the thought of sorrow to come, for since

Heaven has carried us through such great dangers, let us trust it will

restore us to our beloved homes without encountering more, for those

evils that are not sufficient to destroy life, ought not to destroy

our patience." They all admired Auristella's answer, which showed her

admirable wisdom and the piety of her soul, but at this moment, entered

King Polycarp in high good humour, having learnt from his daughter

the flattering result of her communications; with him came Arnoldo

and Periander. The King felicitated Auristella on her amended health,

and informed her that in token of the joy all felt at this happy

news, there were to be illuminations in the city, and festivities and

rejoicings for a week together.

Periander acknowledged the compliment as a brother should, and Arnoldo

as a lover and intended husband. Polycarp laughed in his sleeve as he

thought how finely he had deceived Prince Arnoldo, who, charmed with

Auristella's amendment, and little dreaming of the designs of the

king, only sought how he could effect soonest a means of departure

from the city, since the longer this departure was delayed the longer

was delayed the accomplishment of his hopes. Maurice, hoping to return

to his native country, had recourse to his science, and there learnt

that great difficulties would impede the departure. He consulted with

Periander and Arnoldo, who were both made acquainted with the wishes

and intentions of the king and princess, which gave them much anxiety,

knowing how many difficulties must arise from this mighty passion

having got hold of such great personages, since they well knew that

in these cases all sense of justice and generosity yields to the one

overpowering feeling, and that neither promises nor words are to be

trusted. The three then agreed that Maurice should hire a vessel

from among the number now in the harbour, to convey them secretly to

England, and that they should not appear to suspect the intentions of

Polycarp. All this was communicated to Auristella, who approved of it,

and was anxious to regain her health for her own and all their sakes.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER IX.

_Clodio gives his letter to Auristella, and is killed by the younger

Antonio in a mistake._

Our history goes on to relate, that the insolence, or rather one should

say, the shamelessness of Clodio, rose to such a height that he had

the boldness to place the letter he had written in Auristella's hands,

deceiving her into the belief that it contained some devout verses,

worthy of her perusal and admiration. She opened the letter, and

curiosity impelled her to read it to the end. As she was about to close

it, her eyes fell upon Clodio, but instead of the love-darting beams

that they usually emitted, they now shot forth sparks of angry fire,

as she exclaimed, "Hence, and quit my presence, accursed and shameless

man, and if I could believe this madness on thy part had been caused by

any conduct of mine--if it had been produced by any incautious act or

word of mine derogatory to my honour and character, I would chastise

myself for this thy insolence, which will not go unpunished, unless I

should take pity and treat thee as a madman."

Clodio was surprised, and would now have given half his life not to

have been so daring. A thousand terrors oppressed his spirit, and he

saw that his life would not be worth much, if Arnoldo or Periander

came to know what he had done. He cast down his eyes, and quite

crestfallen, he turned his back upon Auristella, and left her alone

to conjure up a new and not unreasonable fear, which was that Clodio,

rendered desperate, might turn traitor, and profit by the intentions of

Polycarp, if he should chance to learn what they were. She resolved,

therefore, to make Arnoldo and Periander acquainted with the whole

story.

In the meanwhile it happened that the boy Antonio, being in his room

alone, a woman entered. She was about forty years of age, but there

was a vivacity in her air that might make her pass for ten years

younger. She was drest, not according to the fashion of the country

they were in, but after the Spanish mode; and Antonio, although he was

ignorant of any customs but those of the barbarous isle, saw at once

she was a stranger in this place. He arose from his seat to receive

her courteously, for though a barbarian he had been well brought up.

The lady, after fixing her eyes intently on his countenance for some

time, spoke thus--"It probably may seem strange to thee, O young man,

to see me here, since thou art doubtless unaccustomed to receive visits

from ladies, having as I am told been educated in a barbarous island,

not amongst barbarians but amongst rocks and stones, from whence, as

thou hast derived thy beauty, so also mayst thou have imbibed from them

hardness of heart, which may, I dread, prove contrary to my wishes.

Fear not, have no suspicions, and do not be alarmed; I am not saying

anything very monstrous, but that which accords with our human nature.

Thou dost perceive that I speak the Spanish tongue, the language which

thou speakest, which similarity should engender friendship between

us. I am called Zenotia, and am a native of Spain, born and bred in

Alhama, a city of the kingdom of Grenada; my name is well-known there,

and throughout all Spain, for my renown is so great that it cannot

remain in obscurity. It is four years since I left my native land,

flying from the vigilance of those watchful mastiff dogs, who there

keep guard over the Catholic flock. My race is descended from Hagar,

my religion is that of Zoroaster. Behold yonder sun, now shining upon

us; if thou wouldst desire to see a sign of the power I possess, wish

that those beams may be obscured, and I will instantly command thick

clouds to cover them and a dark night to succeed to this brightness;

or wouldst thou see the earth tremble, the winds blow, the ocean rage,

mountains bow down, and wild beasts howl, or any other terrible signs

representing the primæval chaos; only speak the word and it shall be

done. Further, know, that in the city of Alhama there has always lived

a woman of my race, who with the name of Zenotia has inherited the

knowledge which makes us witches, as men call us, but we are in truth

enchantresses or magicians, names more appropriate; witches never do

anything that is of use or profit, and they exercise their tricks

upon small trifles. They play with that they understand not; and if

sometimes things turn out as they pretend, it is not by virtue of

their art, but that God permits the Evil One to deceive them as their

punishment; but we who bear the name of enchantresses and magicians

are persons of a higher quality. We read the stars, contemplate the

position of the heavens, know the virtue of all plants and herbs, of

stones and words, and, joining the active to the passive, we seem to

work miracles whereat men wonder--and hence our good and evil fame;

good, if we work for good; evil, if we do ill with our knowledge; and

as human nature is more prone to evil than to good, we do not always

restrain our inclinations within proper bounds; who shall say that the

angry spirit will not be led sometimes to avenge an affront? who will

say that slighted lovers would not if it were possible, make themselves

beloved where they were abhorred? for as to changing the natural

disposition, and oversetting or counteracting the free-will, this is

what no science can do, no virtue of herb or drug effect."

Antonio listened to all the Spanish lady said with wonder and curiosity

to know how it would end. She went on thus, "Finally, O most discreet

barbarian, I would have thee understand that it was the persecution of

those who are called Inquisitors in Spain that tore me from my native

land; for when one is driven away by force one may call it being as it

were torn up by the roots. I came to this island through many perils

and strange adventures, I became known to the predecessor of King

Polycarp, performed some wonderful deeds, whereby I greatly amazed the

people, and so well did my art avail me, that I became the possessor

of great wealth; contented with my gains, I have lived a chaste and

virtuous life, and might have continued to do so, had not my good, or

it may be evil fortune brought thee hither. My destiny is in thy hands,

if I am not fair in thine eyes, I will so contrive that thou shalt

think me so. If the gold I offer thee be too little, thou hast but to

say what thou wouldst desire, and I will satisfy thee. For thy use I

will fetch the pearls of the ocean; the birds of the air I will tame to

come at thy bidding. From the secret abysses of the earth I will bring

the most precious things for thee. I will make thee invincible; feared

in war, mild in peace. Thou shalt be the envy of all, and have nothing

to wish for. In return for all this, I ask not to be thy wife, but thy

slave; so shall I be most happy. Be pleased, O noble youth, to give me

thy hand, in token that thou wilt agree to my desire." So saying, she

rose and advanced as if to embrace him; Antonio, seeing this, confused

and alarmed, hastily retreated a step or two, and snatched the bow that

never was far from him; fitting an arrow to it, he aimed straight at

Zenotia, who, on perceiving the threatening attitude of the boy, bent

her body quickly, and avoided the dart that was directed at her heart.

It flew, however, and not in vain; for at that instant the unfortunate

Clodio entered the room, it pierced through mouth and tongue; thus

fearfully punishing the very member with which he had most offended.

He died without uttering a word. Zenotia turned her head, and saw the

mortal blow struck; in terror lest a second arrow should follow, she

fled precipitately without staying to avail herself of her boasted

power, with, however, a full intention of revenging herself upon the

cruel and hard-hearted boy.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER X.

_How the younger Antonio fell sick._

Antonio remained not very well satisfied with himself for the deed he

had done, for although assuredly a mistaken one, as he knew nothing of

Clodio's faults, and did know and see very clearly that Zenotia was a

witch, he was inclined to regret that his aim had not been more sure.

He went up to Clodio, to ascertain whether he was really dead, or if

any life remained: but saw that he was beyond help in this world.

At this instant his father entered the room, and seeing the blood, and

the dead body of Clodio, he knew at once by the arrow that it was his

son's work. He asked if it were so; and was answered, Yes! he inquired

the cause, and was told it.

Astonished and indignant, he cried, "Savage Boy! if thus thou treatest

those who love thee, what wilt thou not do towards thy enemies?"

The young Antonio listened with downcast eyes, abashed and penitent.

"I knew not what I did," he answered, "and it grieves me sorely to

have committed this deed. I will try to amend my ways in future, and

not prove myself a barbarian, even when I fancy I am seeking to be

virtuous and resisting the temptations of the evil one."

They then took measures about burying Clodio, and paying all possible

respect to his remains. The news of his death was soon spread through

the palace by Zenotia, although she concealed her share in it; but she

declared that the young barbarian had slain Clodio, no one knew why.

It reached the ears of Auristella, who still held Clodio's letter in

her hand, with the intention of showing it to Periander or Arnoldo,

in order that he might be chastised for his boldness; but seeing that

Heaven had sent the punishment by other hands, she tore the letter, and

thought it best to let the errors of the dead remain hidden from sight,

which was both a prudent and a Christian measure.

Although Polycarp was much disturbed at the accident, he would not

investigate the deed, but placed it in the hands of the Prince Arnoldo,

who at the entreaty of Auristella and Transila, pardoned Antonio, and

sent orders to have Clodio buried, believing the story to be true which

Antonio told; but he concealed Zenotia's share in the catastrophe, that

he might not act entirely a barbarian's part.

Thus the rumour died away; Clodio was buried; Auristella avenged, if

indeed her gentle bosom had ever nourished thoughts of vengeance, as

did Zenotia's, who was eagerly considering within herself how she might

avenge the wrongs inflicted by the hard-hearted archer.

In the course of two or three days he began to feel ill and to droop.

He then took to his bed, and declined so rapidly, that the physicians

said he would certainly die, and that they could not discover the

cause of his illness. His mother, Ricla, wept; his father was full of

grief. Auristella and Maurice sorrowed much; Ladislaus and Transila

were equally afflicted. Seeing this, Polycarp sent for his adviser

and confidante, Zenotia, and desired that she would try and find some

remedy for Antonio's malady, since it seemed beyond the physician's

skill. She gave him good hopes, assuring him that it would not be

mortal, but that the cure would be a slow one. Polycarp believed her

like an oracle.

Now all these events disturbed Sinforosa very little, seeing that they

were a means of detaining Periander; his presence alone was a relief to

her full heart; for, although she wished him to go, because unless he

went he could not return to her, yet so great was the delight she took

in looking upon him, that she could not bear to think of his departure.

It so happened that an opportunity offered itself, when Polycarp and

his two daughters, Arnoldo, Periander and Auristella, and all their

company, including Rutilio (who, ever since he wrote the letter to

Polycarpa, although he had destroyed it, yet continued melancholy and

thoughtful as much as if all who were around him had known of his

folly). This company, I say, met in the sick room of young Antonio,

having come to visit him by Auristella's desire, for she loved and

esteemed him and his parents, and was grateful for the aid the young

barbarian had given when he saved them from the fire, and took them to

his father's dwelling; for in misfortune and danger friendships are

more firmly knit, than in common every day life; and a very warm one

had sprung up between her and Ricla, in whose company she had been so

long, and also for Constance and the two Antonios.

Being then assembled, as I have already said, Sinforosa coaxingly asked

Periander if he would relate some of the passages of his life to them;

most especially she longed to know from whence he came the first time

that he visited their island, when he carried off all the prizes, at

all the games that were played and the feats that were performed, at

the festival which commemorated the anniversary of the election of her

royal father.

To this Periander answered, that he would do as she desired, if he

might be permitted to begin his history where he pleased, and not from

the beginning; for this he could reveal to no one, until he should be

with his sister Auristella safe at Rome. They all said that he might do

according to his own pleasure; they should hear gladly anything he had

to tell them; and the best pleased of all was Prince Arnoldo, thinking

that he might possibly now discover who he was, from what Periander

would relate. These preliminaries settled, Periander spoke in the

following manner.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XI.

_Periander relates the Events of his Voyage._

"If you desire, sirs, to know the preamble and beginning of my story,

I would tell it thus: Imagine me and my sister, with an old nurse of

her's, on board a ship, the master of which, instead of being, as he

seemed, a merchant, was a notorious pirate. We coasted the shores of an

island, that is, we were so near it that we could clearly distinguish,

not only the trees that grew on it, but the various kinds. My sister,

who was tired of having been at sea many days, wished to land by way

of refreshing herself. She asked the captain's permission, and as her

requests are always held to be commands, he agreed that she should be

allowed to do so; and they landed us in the ship's smallest boat--my

sister, myself, and Clelia, which was her nurse's name, with only a

single sailor. When we approached the shore, we saw that a little river

fell into the sea, paying its humble tribute thereto. On either bank

grew a quantity of verdant and leafy trees, affording shade, to which

the crystal waters served as a mirror. We desired the sailor to steer

for this place, as the spot looked inviting. He did so, and we began

to work up the river; having lost sight of the ship, throwing down

his oars, he stopped short, and said, 'Look you, Sir, and consider

this small boat, which we have taken away to-day, as your vessel; for

you will not return to that which is awaiting you in the sea, unless

you wish to endanger the safety of this lady and your own life.' He

then told me how the captain had intended to kill me, and carry off

my sister; that till we could remedy our situation, he would follow

and accompany us wherever we might go, happen what might. Let him who

meets with evil where he expects kindness, judge whether or no we were

disturbed at hearing this. His counsel pleased us, and we promised to

reward him when we should be once more in safety. 'It will be in our

power,' said Clelia, 'for I have my lady's jewels with me.' Then all

four of us took counsel together as to what was to be done. The sailor

recommended that we should go further up the little river, and we

might perhaps discover some place in which we could be protected, if

perchance any of those who belonged to the ship should come in search

of us. 'But they will not come,' said he, 'for the inhabitants of these

isles think every ship that comes near their coasts is a corsair;

and if they see a ship or ships, immediately fly to arms to defend

themselves. Therefore, unless it be a secret attempt by night, we need

not fear any attack from the ship yonder.' What he said seemed good

to me. I took an oar and helped him in his work; we had gone about a

couple of miles up the stream when our ears were saluted by the sound

of many and divers instruments, and our eyes beheld a forest of moving

trees, which seemed to cross from one bank to the other. When we came

nearer we found that these were boats covered with branches of trees

which had deceived us, and that the music proceeded from the persons

who were in the boats. The moment they perceived us, they came up

and surrounded our boat; my sister rose up, with her beautiful hair

falling down her shoulders, confined only on the forehead by a sort of

lion-coloured ribbon or band. This sudden apparition was so divinely

beautiful, that, as we afterwards learnt, the people in the boats took

her for a divinity, for the sailor heard them saying to one another,

'Who can this be? what goddess can it be who deigns to visit us, and

bring a blessing upon the nuptials of the fisherman Carino and the

peerless Silviana?' They then entreated that we would leave our boat

and come ashore, not far from the place where we at first met them.

"Hardly had we set foot on dry land, when a troop of fishermen, as

their dress showed them to be, crowded around us, and one by one

full of respect and admiration, came to kiss the hem of Auristella's

garment; who, in spite of her terror, looked so divinely lovely, that

I could scarcely wonder at the mistake of those who took her for a

goddess. Not far from the river's bank there was a bower formed of

thick juniper boughs; and sweet smelling flowers served as a carpet.

At the same instant, two men and two women rose up from their seats

in the bower--the latter were young girls, the former youths; one of

the girls extremely beautiful, and the other extremely ugly. One of

the young men, handsome and gay, the other of plain appearance. All

four came and knelt down before Auristella; and the handsome youth

said, 'O thou, whoever thou art, that canst only be of heavenly birth,

my brother and I, with all our hearts, thank thee for the favour

thou hast shown to us, in honouring our poor (but henceforth rich)

marriages. Come, lady, and if, instead of the crystal palaces which

thou hast left in the depths of the sea, thou findest only roofs of

shells, and walls of osiers, or rather, I should say, walls of shells

and roofs of osiers, in our huts; yet wilt thou meet with golden wishes

and pearl-like dispositions to serve thee; and I make this comparison,

which perhaps sounds strange, because, what is there richer and better

than gold--what more beautiful than pearls?' Auristella bent down

graciously to salute him; and by her gravity, courtesy, and beauty, she

confirmed his notion of her being a deity.

"The other fisherman, and the least good-looking of the two, then left

them to give directions that all the instruments of music should sound,

and all voices be raised in praise of the newly-arrived stranger. The

two damsels came and humbly kissed Auristella's hand, and she embraced

them with great kindness.

"The sailor who had come with us, well pleased with this event, told

the fishermen, about the ship which lay out in the offing, saying

that the crew were corsairs; and that we feared lest they should gain

possession of the lady who they saw there, and who was the daughter

of a king. This story he judged it best to tell, in order to incline

their hearts to defend her. They no sooner heard this than the sounds

of rejoicing music ceased, and the warlike instruments which succeeded,

seemed like a cry 'to arms, to arms,' on either shore.

"Night now came on; we took refuge in the cabin of the newly-betrothed

lovers. Sentinels were posted along the banks of the river, even as far

as its mouth. The nets were cast in, the baskets baited, all with a

view of regaling us, their new guests; and the more to show us honour

and respect, the betrothed couples put off the solemnization of their

marriage, leaving their cabins to Auristella and Clelia, and to the two

brides; whilst they and their friends, with the sailor and myself, kept

watch and guard over them. There was more than sufficient light in the

sky, and also that afforded by the rising moon; and all around, the

bonfires were still blazing, that had been lighted for the rejoicings

over the wedding festival. It was resolved that the men should sup in

the open air, the women in the cabins; so abundant was the food, that

it seemed as if earth desired to surpass ocean, and ocean, earth--the

one offering its flesh, the other its fish.

"Supper ended, Carino took me by the hand, and walking with me along

the river side, after manifesting various signs of an impassioned

heart, with convulsive sighs he thus spoke: 'It surely must be by

some miracle that thou hast been brought hither at this time and

conjuncture, so as to delay my nuptials, and I feel as a certainty that

my woes may find a cure through thy counsels. Therefore, although,

doubtless, thou wilt deem me mad, or at least a person of singularly

bad taste; yet, I wish thee to know that of the two fisher maidens

whom thou sawest, the one ugly, the other beautiful, it has fallen to

my lot to have the beautiful one for my wife, whose name is Silviana.

I know not what thou wilt say, nor do I know how to account for my

choice, but I adore Leoncia, the ugly maiden, beyond the power of doing

otherwise; and I would have thee know that in my eyes, Leoncia from her

many virtues is the loveliest of women. Moreover Solercio, the other

bridegroom, is, I more than suspect, dying for Silviana. Thus are the

inclinations of all four crossed, and this because we all desired to

obey our parents and friends, who arranged the marriages for us; but I

cannot think it reasonable for a man to consent that a burthen, which

must endure for life, should be fixed upon his shoulders not by his own

choice but for the pleasure of others. And although this very day we

were to have given our consent and pronounced the 'Yes!' which was to

enslave us for ever, it has been prevented, not designedly, but by the

interposition of Providence, for such I believe thy coming has been, so

that there is still time left for our fortunes to amend, and for this

I ask thy advice. Being an impartial stranger, thou mayst best counsel

me; for I have resolved, if I can discover no means of escape or remedy

for my ills, to quit this place and never return to it, whilst life

lasts, or parents vex, relations annoy, and friends fatigue me.

"I listened to him with attention, and instantly a remedy came into my

head, and these words to my tongue, 'No, my friend, do not go away, at

least till I have spoken to my sister, Auristella, the beautiful lady

whom you have seen; her wisdom is such that you would almost deem her

superhuman in mind as well as person.'

"We then returned to the huts, and told my sister all that the

fisherman had said. She readily devised a means of making my words

true, and of satisfying every one. She took Silviana and Leoncia aside,

and said to them, 'Know, my friends, that to-day you will become more

truly such than ever, for Heaven has endowed me with a clear and sharp

penetration, so that by only looking into the countenance of a person,

I read their inmost soul, and guess their thoughts. As a proof of

this, I here call you both to witness--you, Leoncia, love Carino, and

you Silviana, sigh for Solercio; maiden bashfulness keeps you dumb,

but my tongue shall break your silence. Say nothing, but leave all to

me; either I know nothing, or I promise you a happy end to your secret

wishes.'

"They answered not a single word, but covered her hands with kisses

innumerable, and closely embracing her, proved how truly she had

divined the real state of their affections.

"Night passed away, and day dawned rejoicingly. All the fishing

boats appeared decked with fresh green boughs, music again filled

the air with merry sounds, and there arose from many voices gay and

lively songs, in honour of the day. The bridegrooms went forth to

place themselves in the bridal bower, where we had found them on the

preceding day. Silviana and Leoncia, were again arrayed in their bridal

attire; my sister adorned herself in the best manner she was able

with the garments she had, and she placed a diamond cross upon her

lovely breast, and pearls in her ears, jewels of inestimable value.

Then taking the two brides by the hand, and placing them in the centre

of the bower, she called Carino and Solercio to draw near. Carino

approached, confused and trembling, not knowing what I had arranged

about his wishes, and the priest being ready to join their hands,

according to the Catholic ritual, my sister made a sign that she wished

to be heard; and instantly there was a silence so profound that not a

breath stirred. Seeing, then, that every one lent a willing ear, she

said, in a loud and sonorous voice, 'This is the will of Heaven'--and

taking Silviana by the hand, she gave her to Solercio; then she took

the hand of Leoncia, and gave her to Carino. 'This, my friends,' she

continued, 'is what Heaven has ordained, as I said before, and is not

mere accidental caprice, but suits well the happy betrothed ones, as

you may plainly see by their joyful countenances, and the willing

'Yes!' that their tongues pronounce.' The lovers embraced each other;

seeing which, the spectators approved the exchange, and were more than

ever confirmed in the idea of my sister's supernatural qualities, now

that by her command alone, the nearly completed marriages had been thus

altered.

"The festival and entertainments now began."[F]

Periander was thus speaking, when suddenly Antonio, the sick youth,

fell into a deep swoon. At this sight his father, as if he had divined

the cause, left the room, and went, as will be afterwards seen, to seek

Zenotia: what followed will be told in the next chapter.

FOOTNOTES:

[F] Here follows a long description of the boat races and amusements,

which I omit.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XII.

_How Zenotia left off the Sorceries that had bewitched Antonio, so that

he might recover; but advised King Polycarp not to let Arnoldo and his

companions go._

It appears to me that unless patience had been supported by the

pleasure which Arnoldo and Polycarp had in only looking at Auristella,

and Sinforosa in gazing upon Periander, they must have lost it in

listening to so tedious a story, touching which Maurice and Ladislaus

were of opinion, that it was much too long and very little to the

purpose, for instead of a narration of his own misfortunes, he had

been detailing the pleasures of other people. Nevertheless, they liked

to listen to him, and were willing to hear his tale to an end, so

agreeable was his manner and style in relating anything.