Amadis then embraced Esplandian, who made obeisance and reverence, not as to his father, but as to the best Knight in the world, whom he had long desired to see, and from whom he could now hardly take off his eyes. Amadis seeing how earnestly the Child looked at him, suspected that he knew something of the truth; but the good Hermit beholding them both how fair they were, as they were thus embracing, he was as happy as if he had been in Paradise, and in his heart he prayed to God for them, and besought him that for his service he would be pleased to enable him to make peace between these Knights, who were the flower of the world. He then said to Don Quadragante, Sir, I have something to say to Amadis; while I speak with him, be pleased to take with you this Child, since you better than any other of these Knights know him. He then took Amadis by the hand, and when they were sufficiently retired, he said, my son, before I open to you the principal cause of my coming, I would have you call to mind how much more than all other living men you ought to be thankful to the Lord our God, for at the hour of your birth you were shut up in an ark, and cast into the sea, and the Redeemer of the world had pity on you. He hath made you the fairest Knight in the world, and the strongest, and most well-beloved, and seeing that he hath done so much for you, what ought not you to do for him? I am come hither, son, with great toil and pain, to see if I can bring about peace, and having spoken with King Lisuarte, and found him disposed to obey God, as every good King who is the servant of God should do, I would now, my good Sir, learn, whether you have most regard to him who created you, or to the vain glory of the world. You may speak to me without reserve, for I have been to the Firm Island, and have undertaken this charge with the permission of the Princess Oriana, the secret of whose heart I have learnt in confession. Amadis well believed that this was true, because this was a holy man, who would not speak an untruth; he made answer, friend of God, and holy Hermit, I should be the most fortunate Knight that ever lived, if I could discharge what I owe to our Lord Christ for the benefits wherewith he has favoured me; but I am a sinful man, who every day offend him, and right glad shall I be if, by your coming, I may be taught how to make atonement for the past. O my fortunate son! exclaimed the good man, how have you comforted my heart, that was so disconsolate at beholding so great destruction! that Lord who is to save you give you the recompense which I cannot! Now without fear I will tell you what I have already done. Then he told him how, by Oriana's consent, he had revealed the secret to King Lisuarte, and with what patience the King had learnt it; and since, by God's help they were in this state, he besought him to devise how, by his marriage with the Princess, peace might be established.