ce
as thinking it the primary occasion of my ruin; I cursed my fate, and my
own precipitation; I shed an infinity of tears, and was almost choked by
them and by my sighs; I complained mutely to heaven, and pondered a
thousand expedients to see if there was any which might afford me help
or remedy, and that which I finally resolved on was to dress myself in
male apparel, and go in quest of this perfidious AEneas, this cruel and
perjured Bireno, this defrauder of my honest affections and my
legitimate and well-founded hopes. Having once formed this resolution, I
lost no time in putting it in execution. I put on a travelling suit
belonging to my brother, saddled one of my father's horses with my own
hand, and left home one very dark night, intending to go to Salamanca,
whither it was conjectured that Marco Antonio might have gone; for he
too is a student, and an intimate friend of my brother's. I did not omit
to take at the same time a quantity of gold sufficient for all
contingencies upon my journey. What most distresses me is the thought
that my parents will send in pursuit of me, and that I shall be
discovered by means of my dress and the horse; and even had I not this
to fear, I must dread my brother's resentment; for he is in Salamanca,
and should he discover me, I need not say how much my life would be in
peril. Even should he listen to my excuses, the least scruple of his
honour would outweigh them all.

"Happen what may, my fixed resolve is to seek out my heartless husband,
who cannot deny that he is my husband without belying the pledge which
he left in my possession--a diamond ring, with this legend: 'Marco
Antonio is the husband of Teodosia.' If I find him, I will know from him
what he discovered in me that prompted him so soon to leave me; and I
will make him fulfil his plighted troth, or I will prove as prompt to
vengeance as I was easy in suffering myself to be aggrieved, and will
take his life; for the noble blood that runs in my veins is not to be
insulted with impunity. This, senor cavalier, is the true and sad
history you desired to hear, and which you will accept as a sufficient
apology for the words and sighs that awoke you. What I would beseech of
you is, that though you may not be able to remedy my misfortune, at
least you may advise me how to escape the dangers that beset me, evade
being caught, and accomplish what I so much desire and need."

The cavalier said not a syllable in reply, and remained