Wherein is given an account of what two Soldiers did, and how Periander and Auristella were separated.

To which cries, replied the prince Arnoldo, "How is this, O learned Maurice? where are these waters which overwhelm us? where the waves that assail us?" The answer was given by a sailor, who rushed on deck with gestures of terror, water running from his mouth and eyes, and in affrighted and scarcely articulate accents, exclaimed, "The ship's sides are opening everywhere; the sea is rushing in fast—you will soon see it cover the deck! let every man see to his safety, and look best how to save his life. Get the skiff out, or the barge, O Prince Arnoldo, and take the things you value most with you, before these cruel waves swallow up all!"

The ship was now motionless from the weight of water in her. The pilot set all the sails with skill. Every one in fear and terror hurried to seek for some remedy, some means of escape. The prince and Periander got out the smaller boat, and launched it into the sea; they placed Auristella, Transila, Ricla, and Constance in this. Finding that nobody thought of her, Rosamund joined herself to the party, and after her, Arnoldo made Maurice follow.

Now there were two soldiers lowering the barge which was hung on the ship's side, and one of them seeing that his comrade wished to be the first to get into her, drew a knife from his belt, and plunged it into the other's heart, crying, "Since our crime has been committed to so little purpose, let this serve for thy punishment and my expiation at least during the short time I have to live." So saying, without attempting to avail himself of the means of escape the boat offered, he desperately flung himself into the sea; but before he sank, he uttered these half-articulate words:—

"Hear, O Prince Arnoldo, the truth from a traitor; at such a moment he may well be believed. I and he whom you have just beheld slain by my hand, made holes and openings all through this vessel, with the intention of letting it sink, and ourselves making our escape in the skiff with Auristella and Transila, whose beauty we had no power to resist, and we determined at all hazards to carry them off; but having seen our plans defeated, contrary to our expectation, I have taken away the life of my companion, and now resign myself to death:" and with this last word he let himself sink into the depths of the sea, which soon stopped his breath, and buried him in eternal silence. Although all were in confusion and haste, each seeking safety in the general danger, yet Arnoldo heard clearly the words of the dying ruffian; and he and Periander had recourse to the barge, having before they entered it, directed that Antonio, the younger, should go in the skiff, without remembering to put in any provisions whatever.

The prince, Ladislaus, the elder Antonio, Periander and Clodio got into the barge, intending to join the skiff, which had already left the vessel, over which the waves had now entirely closed, and nothing remained above the waters but the mainmast, as a mark to show that she was there entombed.

Night came on before they could reach the skiff; from which the voice of Auristella could be distinctly heard calling for her brother, Periander, who answered by repeatedly uttering her beloved name.

Transila and Ladislaus did the same, so that the air resounded with the mingled sounds of, "Dearest! my beloved! lover! brother! bride! and sister!", whose hopes were all frustrated, and whose prospects were changed from the impossibility of joining one another, owing to the increasing darkness of............