"Night passed away, and day dawned rejoicingly. All the fishing boats appeared decked with fresh green boughs, music again filled the air with merry sounds, and there arose from many voices gay and lively songs, in honour of the day. The bridegrooms went forth to place themselves in the bridal bower, where we had found them on the preceding day. Silviana and Leoncia, were again arrayed in their bridal attire; my sister adorned herself in the best manner she was able with the garments she had, and she placed a diamond cross upon her lovely breast, and pearls in her ears, jewels of inestimable value. Then taking the two brides by the hand, and placing them in the centre of the bower, she called Carino and Solercio to draw near. Carino approached, confused and trembling, not knowing what I had arranged about his wishes, and the priest being ready to join their hands, according to the Catholic ritual, my sister made a sign that she wished to be heard; and instantly there was a silence so profound that not a breath stirred. Seeing, then, that every one lent a willing ear, she said, in a loud and sonorous voice, 'This is the will of Heaven'--and taking Silviana by the hand, she gave her to Solercio; then she took the hand of Leoncia, and gave her to Carino. 'This, my friends,' she continued, 'is what Heaven has ordained, as I said before, and is not mere accidental caprice, but suits well the happy betrothed ones, as you may plainly see by their joyful countenances, and the willing 'Yes!' that their tongues pronounce.' The lovers embraced each other; seeing which, the spectators approved the exchange, and were more than ever confirmed in the idea of my sister's supernatural qualities, now that by her command alone, the nearly completed marriages had been thus altered. "The festival and entertainments now began."[F] Periander was thus speaking, when suddenly Antonio, the sick youth, fell into a deep swoon. At this sight his father, as if he had divined the cause, left the room, and went, as will be afterwards seen, to seek Zenotia: what followed will be told in the next chapter. FOOTNOTES: [F] Here follows a long description of the boat races and amusements, which I omit. [Illustration] CHAPTER XII. _How Zenotia left off the Sorceries that had bewitched Antonio, so that he might recover; but advised King Polycarp not to let Arnoldo and his companions go._