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.
