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