periander quits rome in despair at auristella's proposal.
water that is enclosed in a narrow vessel, whilst it is in the greatest haste to escape, is slowest to pour out, because the first drops are detained by those which follow, and one impedes the other, till the current begins to rush and all the water breaks forth. so is it with the words that rush into the mind of a distressed lover, sometimes at the very tip of his tongue, yet hindered by those which follow too rapidly for utterance; till scarcely knowing which first came into his head, he is silent, and by silence he says more even than he wishes. this was shown in the small courtesy periander displayed towards the visitors that he met entering auristella's apartment. he, full of thoughts and fancies, and oppressed with the imaginations that crowded into his mind, disdained and deceived, as he thought himself, went out of auristella's presence without knowing how, or wishing, or being able to reply to the long discourse she had held to him.
antonio and his sister went to her, and found her like one awakening from a heavy dream, and speaking distinctly aloud to herself in such words as these:—
"have i done wrong? but what does it signify? is it not better he should know my intentions? is it not better i should timely leave the crooked paths and dubious ways, and take the straight road by the shortest cut, that which clearly and distinctly shows us the happy end of our journey? i own that periander's company would not hinder me from going to heaven, but also i feel that i should reach it quicker without him. i owe more to myself than to another; if to the interests of heaven and eternal glory, those of earth and earthly ties should yield, how much more should mine when i have no relationship with periander."
"i must warn you, sister auristella," here interposed constance, "that you are giving us an idea of things which may awaken our suspicions, and bring you to confusion. if periander is not your brother, you have been holding a very long conversation with him, and, if he is, why should you deem his company any cause for scandal?"
by this time auristella had a little recovered herself, and hearing what constance said, she tried to make amends for her want of caution, but did not succeed, for it is a difficult matter to mend an untruth, and always leaves some doubts behind.
"i know not, my sister," said auristella, "what i have said; i know not whether periander is my brother or not; all i know is, that he is at least as dear as my own soul; i live, i breathe only in him, in him i move, and by him i am supported, always restraining myself within proper bounds, without giving room for any other thoughts, and keeping a due decorum of manners, such as a woman of high birth ought to show to a brother as high-born."
"i understand you not, lady auristella," here said antonio, "for, in your discourse, you sometimes speak of periander as your brother, and sometimes not; tell us who he is, and who you are, if you can tell it? for, whether he is your brother or no, at least you cannot deny that you are of high birth; and we (i speak of myself and my sister constance) are not so inexperienced as to be astonished at anything you can relate; for, since we left the barbarous isle, the troubles and perils that we have seen and passed through have taught us a great deal, and, by a very small sign, we can discover the thread of the most difficult affairs, especially those of love, for it appears that they bring their own explanation with them. what if periander should not be your brother, what if you are his lawful wife? and, again, is it not much that you have conducted yourselves with such modesty and purity of manners in the sight of heaven, and of all who have been in your company? love is not always rash and inconsiderate, nor are all lovers influenced by mere sensual feelings, but by the charm of the heart and mind; and it being thus, dear lady, again i entreat that you will tell us who you are and who is periander, who seemed, as he passed us just now, to carry away a volcano in his eyes and a gag in his mouth."
"alas! unhappy that i am," replied auristella, "and far better it would have been that i had kept eternal silence, for silence would have saved him from that gag of which you speak. women are indiscreet, imprudent, and impatient, and cannot hold their tongues. whilst i was silent my soul was peaceful, i spoke, and my peace is gone; and now that i may lose it entirely, and so end the tragedy of my life, i will tell you (who have been sent by heaven to be indeed a brother and a sister to me) that periander is not my brother, neither is he my husband, nor yet my lover, at least, according to the common acceptation of the word. he is not one of those lovers who seek to dishonour the woman they love.—he is a king's son, i am a king's daughter, and the heiress of a kingdom. we are equal in blood. i have some advantage over him in my situation, in my inclinations none, and, withal, our wishes are the same, and our affections are honourably given to one another, only the thing which confounds and disturbs our intentions, and which forces us to wait, and places a restraint upon periander, and distresses me, is what i cannot tell you now, my friends; but i beseech you aid me to seek him out, for since he has taken the liberty of going without my leave, he will not return unsought."
"then," said constance, "get up quickly, and let us go in search of him directly, for the cords which bind lovers do not allow of their going away very far from the beloved one. come, we shall quickly find him. soon you will see him, and yet sooner you will satisfy him; you will forget the scruples with which you have been surrounded, and give periander your hand as his espoused wife, thereby putting an end to all calumny and evil report."
auristella rose up, and accompanied by felicia flora, constance and antonio, went out in search of periander. they who now knew her to be a princess, looked upon her with redoubled reverence, and treated her with more respect.
periander, meanwhile, whom they were seeking, had tried to go far away from all who might go in search of him. he left rome on foot, and alone—unless his utter disconsolateness and his sorrow may be considered as company. his melancholy thoughts and ever varying imaginations never left him. "alas!" said he to himself, "most beautiful sigismunda, queen by nature and beautiful by the bounteous gift of the same nature, superhumanly prudent, and surpassingly charming! little did it cost thee to consider me as a brother, since never in word or thought did i belie the name—not even malice itself could affirm that i did. if it be thy wish to go to heaven alone in thy maiden pride, without dependence upon any other but thy god and thyself, do so, in god's name! yet i warn thee—think not that thou wilt be sinless, or that thou canst act thus without being guilty of my death. thou hast left me, lady, loaded and oppressed with the weight of silence, and thy falseness! wherefore didst thou not declare this earlier, when it would not have been tearing my heart from my body to give up my love for thee? it was all thine: i gave up to thee my entire will, and thou hast cast me out. rest in peace, my beloved, and know that all i can do i have done, in leaving thee."
night came on, and diverging a little from the high road, which was that which led to naples, he heard the murmuring sound of a stream which ran amongst some trees, and throwing himself down upon its margin, he ceased his complaints, but his sighs and tears were ceaseless.
