The Emperor had committed to her charge the city and garrison of Marseilles, and she held the post against the infidels with valor and discretion.  One day Melissa suddenly presented herself before her.  Anticipating her questions, she said, “Fear not for Rogero; he lives, and is as ever true to you; but he has lost his liberty.  The fell enchanter has again succeeded in making him a prisoner.  If you would deliver him, mount your horse and follow me.”  She told her in what manner Atlantes had deceived Rogero, in deluding his eyes with the phantom of herself in peril.  “Such,” she continued, “will be his arts in your own case, if you penetrate the forest and approach that castle.  You will think you behold Rogero, when, in fact, you see only the enchanter himself.  Be not deceived, plunge your sword into his body, and trust me when I tell you that, in slaying him, you will restore not only Rogero, but with him many of the bravest knights of France, whom the wizard’s arts have withdrawn from the camp of their sovereign.”

Bradamante promptly armed herself, and mounted her horse.  Melissa led her by forced journeys, by field and forest, beguiling the way with conversation on the theme which interested her hearer most.  When at last they reached the forest, she repeated once more her instructions, and then took her leave, for fear the enchanter might espy her, and be put on his guard.

Bradamante rode on about two miles when suddenly she beheld Rogero, as it appeared to her, hard pressed by two fierce giants.  While she hesitated she heard his voice calling on her for help.  At once the cautions of Melissa lost their weight.  A sudden doubt of the faith and truth of her kind monitress flashed across her mind.  “Shall I not believe my own eyes and ears?” she said, and rushed forward to his defence.  Rogero fled, pursued by the giants, and Bradamante followed, passing with them through the castle gate.  When there, Bradamante was undeceived, for neither giant nor knight was to be seen.  She found herself a prisoner, but had not the consolation of knowing that she shared the imprisonment of her beloved.  She saw various forms of men and women, but could recognize none of them; and their lot was the same with respect to her.  Each viewed the others under some illusion of the fancy, wearing the semblance of giants, dwarfs, or even four-footed animals, so that there was no companionship or communication between them.

ASTOLPHO’S ADVENTURES CONTINUED, AND ISABELLA’S BEGUN

When Astolpho escaped from the cruel Alcina, after a short abode in the realm of the virtuous Logestilla, he desired to return to his native country.  Logestilla lent him the best vessel of her fleet to convey him to the mainland.  She gave him at parting a wonderful book, which taught the secret of overcoming all manners of enchantments, and begged him to carry it always with him, out of regard for her.  She also gave him another gift, which surpassed everything of the kind that mortal workmanship can frame; yet it was nothing in appearance but a simple horn.