, she felt that he was
disloyal in friendship as well as love.

Julia bore the ring to Silvia, but Silvia said, "I will not wrong the
woman who gave it him by wearing it."

"She thanks you," said Julia.

"You know her, then?" said Silvia, and Julia spoke so tenderly of
herself that Silvia wished that Sebastian would marry Julia.

Silvia gave Julia her portrait for Proteus, who would have received it
the worse for extra touches on the nose and eyes if Julia had not made
up her mind that she was as pretty as Silvia.

Soon there was an uproar in the palace. Silvia had fled.

The Duke was certain that her intention was to join the exiled
Valentine, and he was not wrong.

Without delay he started in pursuit, with Sir Thurio, Proteus, and some
servants.

The members of the pursuing party got separated, and Proteus and Julia
(in her page's dress) were by themselves when they saw Silvia, who had
been taken prisoner by outlaws and was now being led to their Captain.
Proteus rescued her, and then said, "I have saved you from death; give
me one kind look."

"O misery, to be helped by you!" cried Silvia. "I would rather be a
lion's breakfast."

Julia was silent, but cheerful. Proteus was so much annoyed with Silvia
that he threatened her, and seized her by the waist.

"O heaven!" cried Silvia.

At that instant there was a noise of crackling branches. Valentine came
crashing through the Mantuan forest to the rescue of his beloved. Julia
feared he would slay Proteus, and hurried to help her false lover. But
he struck no blow, he only said, "Proteus, I am sorry I must never trust
you more."

Thereat Proteus felt his guilt, and fell on his knees, saying, "Forgive
me! I grieve! I suffer!"

"Then you are my friend once more," said the generous Valentine. "If
Silvia, that is lost to me, will look on you with favor, I promise that
I will stand aside and bless you both."

These words were terrible to Julia, and she swooned. Valentine revived
her, and said, "What was the matter, boy?"

"I remembered," fibbed Julia, "that I was charged to give a ring to the
Lady Silvia, and that I did not."

"Well, give it to me," said Proteus.

She handed him a ring, but it was the ring that Proteus gave to Julia
before he left Verona.

Proteus looked at her hand, and crimsoned to the roots of his hair.

"I changed my shape when you changed your mind," said she.

"But I love you again," said he.

Just then outlaws entered, bring