all that had happened to each since they were parted.  Rogero took advantage of the opportunity to press his suit, and found Bradamante as propitious as he could wish, were it not for a single obstacle, the difference of their faiths.  “If he would obtain her in marriage,” she said, “he must in due form demand her of her father, Duke Aymon, and must abandon his false prophet, and become a Christian.”  The latter step was one which Rogero had for some time intended taking, for reasons of his own.  He therefore gladly accepted the terms, and proposed that they should at once repair to the abbey of Vallombrosa, whose towers were visible at no great distance.  Thither they turned their horses’ heads, and we will leave them to find their way without our company.

I know not if my readers recollect that at the moment when Rogero had just delivered Angelica from the voracious Orc that scornful beauty placed her ring in her mouth, and vanished out of sight.  At the same time the Hippogriff shook off his bridle, soared away, and flew to rejoin his former master, very naturally returning to his accustomed stable.  Here Astolpho found him, to his very great delight.  He knew the animal’s powers, having seen Rogero ride him, and he longed to fly abroad over all the earth, and see various nations and peoples from his airy course.  He had heard Logestilla’s directions how to guide the animal, and saw her fit a bridle to his head.  He therefore was able, out of all the bridles he found in the stable, to select one suitable, and, placing Rabican’s saddle on the Hippogriff’s back, nothing seemed to prevent his immediate departure.  Yet before he went he bethought him of placing Rabican in hands where he would be safe, and whence he might recover him in time of need.  While he stood deliberating where he should find a messenger, he saw Bradamante approach.  That fair warrior had been parted from Rogero on their way to the abbey of Vallombrosa, by an inopportune adventure which had called the knight away.  She was now returning to Montalban, having arranged with Rogero to join her there.  To Bradamante, therefore, his fair cousin, Astolpho committed Rabican, and also the lance of gold, which would only be an incumbrance in his aerial excursion.  Bradamante took charge of both; and Astolpho, bidding her farewell, soared in air.

Among those delivered by Astolpho from the magician’s castle was Orlando.  Following the guide of chance, the paladin found himself at the close of day in a forest, and stopped at the foot of a mountain.  Surprised to discern a light which came from a cleft in the rock, he approached, guided by the ray, and discovered a narrow passage in the mountain-side, which led into a deep grotto.

Orlando fastened his horse, and then, putting aside the bushes that resisted his passage, stepped down from rock to rock till he reached a sort of cavern.  Entering it, he perceived a lady, young and handsome, as well as he could discover through the signs of distress which agitated her countenance.  Her only companion was an old woman, who seemed to be regarded by her young partner with terror and indignation.  The courteous paladin saluted the women respectfully, and begged to know by whose barbarity they had been subjected to such imprisonment.