Page:The Enchanted Knights; or The Chronicle of the Three Sisters.djvu/97

17 venient conveyance. In the environs of your island, I was overtaken by a tempest which destroyed my ship, but the injury was easily repaired as far as I was concerned. During the hurricane I observed your movements in aid of the shipwrecked; this philanthropic conduct determined me to seek your acquaintance. The reception I met with warmed my heart towards you, and induced me to stay in your island, but the knowledge of your unhappy fate grieved me deeply, so that I felt compelled to depart, and had not your change of fortunes been registered on the tablets of destiny I should have employed all the powers I could command to protect you; as it was I went on my bridal errand to England. I was too late—the handsome Elfreida had already given her heart away and I was too discreet to disturb her love, or, perhaps, too proud to seek a heart where the ardent torch of love already flamed. On returning I visited the Court of Cruco, your vanquisher, where I saw the Princess Obizza, his daughter, a maiden as lovely and handsome as ever maiden was, but her heart was incapable of love, and mine too haughty to leave disdain unrevenged; I therefore took care not to commit any act of folly nor to compromise the tranquility of the two kingdoms by leaving my passions unconquered.