Page:History of Fortunatus (4).pdf/15

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began to wonder what had befallen him. But just as he remembered the assignation with Agrippina, in came her woman, who told him in a sorrowful tone that the fair princess going to bed, and keeping awake in expectation of him, and he deceiving her, she was risen very angry. This made him very blank and sorrowful that he had lost an opportunity which he could not reasonably expect again! And so rising he went to his own house, little dreaming he had lost his treasure.

By this time Agrippina had shewn the purse to the king and queen; and told them, the virtue of it. And now they resolved to put a trick upon Andolocia, and accordingly the king sent to tell him, he designed to come, with the queen and princess, to dine with him that day. The messenger had no sooner delivered his message, and was departed, but he called his steward and bid him immediately provide provision: but he told him, in the two last feasts that his money was all expended, and, therefore, he must have more. Whereupon Andolocia put his hand readily into his purse but found nothing: when looking wishfully on it, he perceived it was changed. This made him look blank, not knowing for a time what to saw or do. He knew the virtue of it was so rare, that those who had it would never part with it by fair means. And so pretending his brother was dead, he turned of all his servants, sold all his household furniture, and privately getting on ship-board, he sailed for Cyprus, telling his brother Ambedo the lamentable news of the loss of the purse; which greatly grieved him, and made him blame Andolocia for his folly, and the breach of his father’s last