fully partook of the fruits and pulse which the kind hermit set before him.

The evening was passed in further instruction in Christian doctrine, and the next day he was baptised in the clear waters of the fountain by the holy friar; who blessed him and prayed for him that, free from sin and pure from temptation, he might pass safely through this mortal toil which we call life, and ever keep his eyes turned to the path which leads to heaven.

Ruggiero had spent some time with the good old man, when they one day saw a galley approach the rock and anchor below the grove. A boat was lowered, and two knights, carrying, with their sailors' help, a third, whom they carefully laid down on cushions, entered into it, and put off for the shore. The hermit went down to meet them as they landed, and they told him that they had heard of his great sanctity and of his renown as a skilful leech, and therefore they had brought their friend, who had been grievously wounded in battle, and seemed to them nigh unto death, beseeching him to do what he could to restore him.

The hermit kindly told them to carry their companion up to his cell, where so efficacious were his prayers and his remedies that in a short time the wounded knight sat up and spoke cheerfully to his friends. The knights expressed their gratitude to the hermit, and proposed to stay a day or two with him, that he might complete their

TRUE FRIENDSHIP.

275

friend's cure. They sent their servants with orders to bring up from the galley good store of provisions; the hermit's board was soon spread with bread and wine, game, ham, and various meats, and the good old man was, after much persuasion, induced to partake with them of the unwonted feast.

As they sat down one of the knights looked fixedly at Ruggiero, and after a moment they both jumped up and joyfully recognised each other. For this was Rinaldo, and his companions were his cousin, the famous Orlando, and his friend, the wounded Oliviero, who were only too glad to make the acquaintance of Ruggiero, for they already knew him well by name as among the bravest of the brave. When they heard that he had become a Christian, they all three got up and shook him by the hand, cordially embracing and welcoming him as now indeed a brother in arms; Rinaldo doing so the most heartily, knowing how much gratitude his house owed him for the sake of Ricciardetto and Malagigi and Vivian.

How often are truer friendships formed in the humble abodes of the poor and lowly than in the palaces of the rich and great! So was it in the hermit's cell, where these young knights became such fast friends, that had they been of one blood they could not have loved each other more sincerely. Many a time had Rinaldo wished to thank Ruggiero for his good offices to his brother and cousins,

but as long as they were in hostile camps it had been impossible for him to do so. Now, however, he was profuse in his thanks, and the hermit hinted that he had an easy and acceptable way of showing the sincerity of his gratitude, by consenting to become nearly related to Ruggiero, in bestowing upon him his sister's hand in marriage. Orlando and Oliviero joined in and said that there could not be a better arrangement, and that they were sure Duke Amone would welcome so distinguished a son-in-law. Rinaldo felt such high esteem for Ruggiero that he was nothing loth to consent, and the result was that he and Orlando promised that Bradamante should be Ruggiero's wife. They stayed that night and part of the following day on the rock, when their pilot urging them to take advantage of a favourable wind, they were obliged, much to their regret, to take leave of the kind hermit, who stood on the shore and blessed them as they all four stepped into the boat and rowed off to the galley.

There, to Ruggiero's great joy and surprise, Orlando presented him with Frontino and his precious sword Balisarda. After the captain and his crew had been drowned, and Ruggiero had swum ashore, their vessel had not, as he had expected, struck upon the rocks, for the wind had suddenly veered and driven her out to sea again, and not long after she was cast ashore on the African coast near Biserta, where Orlando happened to be. He

A PROSPEROUS VOYAGE.

277

therefore took possession of her, and, together with everything on board, of the sword and charger, which he knew by report to belong to Ruggiero.

The sails were quickly unfurled to the fresh breeze, the mariners bent on their oars, and under fair clear skies it was not long before they entered the harbour, and landed at Marseilles.

CHAPTER XXI.

UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTIES PUT IN THE WAY OF RUGGIERO'S AND BRADAMANTE'S BETROTHAL.

For ever, Fortune, wilt thou prove

An unrelenting foe to Love,

And when we meet a mutual heart,

Come in between and bid us part?—THOMSON.

ORLANDO sent word to Charlemagne that he was bringing him Ruggiero, converted to the true faith; which news so pleased the Emperor that when the knights arrived before the gates of Paris he came out to meet them with a long train of lords and ladies, among these Bradamante and Marfisa; the latter affectionately kissed her brother, but the other lady remained modestly in the background. Orlando and Rinaldo presented Ruggiero to the Emperor, as the worthy son of Ruggiero of Risa, who, they said, rivalled his father in virtue and in valour, and of this, they added, the Christians had often had in battle more proof than they might have desired. Ruggiero respectfully alighted, and the Emperor received him very graciously, and bade him remount his horse and ride by his side, omitting to show him no token of the favour and high esteem in which he held him.