they all determine to quit the island, and pursue their voyage.
"now," said the master of the inn, "i know not that i ought to say that i feel sorry for the fair weather which all the signs in the sky seem to promise at sea. the sun shines clear and bright, far and wide one cannot perceive the smallest cloud. the waves murmur on the shore with a gentle sound, and the birds are scattered abroad over the ocean, all which are signs of fair and durable weather; a fact which will cause me to be soon left alone by the noble guests whom fortune has brought to my inn."
"even so will it be," said maurice, "for however agreeable and pleasant your company has been, the desire of returning home will prevent our enjoying it much longer. for my part, i must say, that i think of sailing to-night at the first watch, if the opinion of my pilot, and that of the officers who are in the ship, should agree with mine."
to which arnoldo rejoined: "the loss of time is irrecoverable; but, most of all, loss of time at sea can never be remedied." in short, there was but one opinion amongst the whole party—that they should sail that night for england, to which all were bound.
arnoldo rose from table, and taking periander by the hand, drew him out of the inn; and when they were alone, and out of hearing of any one, he said, "it is impossible, friend periander, but that your sister, auristella, must have told you of the inclination i had for her during the two years that she was in the power of the king, my father; but so much did i respect her, that no word ever fell from my lips, that could disturb her modesty. i never wished for more of her history than she chose to tell me; picturing her in my imagination, not as a person of ordinary or low estate, but as if she was queen of the whole world; because her modesty, gravity, and exceeding great discretion, prevented all possibility of thinking otherwise. a thousand times i offered to marry her, and with the full consent of my father, and yet i thought the offer short of her merits; but ever she made answer, that until she was in the city of rome, where she had a vow to accomplish, she could not dispose of herself. she never would tell me her quality, nor that of her parents, nor did i, as i said before, ever importune her on that point, for she herself, independent of all nobility of birth, deserved not only the crown of denmark, but that of every kingdom upon earth.
"i have told you all this, periander, because i consider you as a person of understanding and discretion, and because the happiness is not small which i ask at your's and your sister's hands, asking her of you for a wife; and promising to fulfil this offer, when and where she pleases; here, beneath this humble roof, or in the gilded halls of rome; and i also swear that i will conduct myself towards her in all respect and decorum, until this desired hour shall arrive."
here arnoldo ended his discourse, and listened attentively to what periander would say in reply, which was—"i know well, valorous prince arnoldo, the obligations which both my sister and myself are under to you for the many favours you have shown us; and for that you now anew offer to us, of receiving me as your brother, and her as your wife; but, although it seems like madness for two poor miserable pilgrims cast out of their own country, not at once to accept the good that is offered to them, yet i must say that it is not in our power to receive it as we ought to do. impelled by destiny, my sister and myself seek the city of rome, and till we see ourselves there, we feel that we are not at liberty to use our own free-will; if heaven permits us ever to touch the blessed ground, and adore the holy relics there, we may then be able to dispose of our own hitherto shackled inclinations, and then mine will be entirely devoted to your service. also, i will own to you, that if you ever reach the accomplishment of your wishes, you will obtain a bride born of illustrious lineage, and a brother-in-law who will be a brother indeed. and now to the many favours that we have both received, i pray you to add yet another, which is that you will not ask me more concerning our home and our life, that i may not be obliged to tell you untruths, and invent false and lying chimeras, to avoid telling you our true history." "dispose of me as thou wilt, o my brother," answered arnoldo, "consider me as the wax, and thyself the seal, to impress on me whatever thou shalt desire; and let us, if it seems good to thee, depart this night for england, as we can more easily pass from thence to france, and to rome; and in this voyage i will accompany you, if it is agreeable to you that i should do so."
although periander was much disturbed at this last offer, he yet accepted it, trusting to time and delays, which sometimes cause events to turn out better than is expected; and the two intended brothers embracing one another, returned to the inn to prepare for their departure.
auristella had seen arnoldo and periander go forth together, and greatly feared what might be the result of their conversation; and although she well knew the modesty of prince arnoldo, and the great discretion of periander, still a thousand vague alarms oppressed her heart. to her it appeared that as arnoldo's power was equal to his love, he might try to obtain what he desired by force; since sometimes, in the bosoms of rejected lovers, tenderness is converted into wrath, and courtesy into rudeness; but seeing them return so amicably together, and in such peaceful guise, she recovered her spirits again.
clodio, the backbiter, who knew now who arnoldo was, fell at his feet, and entreated that he would interfere in his behalf to get him freed from the company of rosamond. maurice related to him the story of their crimes and punishment. moved by compassion, arnoldo ordered that clodio should be released from his chains; and he promised to speak in his behalf, seeing that he was a great friend of his sovereign. upon which clodio said, "if all great people occupied themselves like you, sir, in doing good, nobody would wish to speak ill of them; but how can he who does evil, expect that men should speak well of him? and if good and virtuous deeds are often calumniated by human malice, why should the wicked escape? take me with you, o prince, and you shall see how i will sing your praises up to the very skies."
"no, no," replied arnoldo, "i do not desire to be praised for the good which it is natural to me to do; and besides, praise is only valuable from the good; it is worth nothing to be praised by the vicious and the bad. praise is the reward of virtue, if he who bestows it is virtuous; from the vicious, praise is blame."
