A page so kind, so duteous, diligent,
So tender over his occasions, true,

So feat, so nurse-like. Let his virtue join
With my request, which, I'll make bold your
highness

Cannot deny: he hath done no Briton harm,
Though he have serv'd a Roman. Save him, sir,
And spare no blood beside."

The boy was brought forward, and the King bent a sharp gaze upon him. He thought his features were familiar, but Fidele had no eyes for any save the infamous Iachimo, for upon his hand she had caught the glitter of a diamond ring, her mother's, and her own gift to Posthumus. When she stepped into the light Belarius, Arviragus, and Guiderius, the three champions who had turned defeat into glorious victory, started with surprise.

"Is not this boy revived from death?" whispered Belarius to his sons.

66 One sand another not more resembles that sweet rosy lad who died, and was Fidele.-What think you, Guiderius?" said Arviragus.

"The same dead thing alive," was the reply.

"A boon, O King!" exclaimed Imogen, pointing to Iachimo. "Let this gentleman say of whom he had this ring."

The despairing Posthumus lifted his eyes and saw the Italian step forward. He aroused himself and listened eagerly, for well he knew the story of the diamond ring. Then Iachimo, whose conscience had long ago been touched, confessed the full story of his treacherous plot against the good name of Imogen, and

with what lies he had deceived her husband Posthumus. His narration was interrupted by an exceeding bitter cry, like the wail of a lost soul, and the ill-dressed peasant cried out in an agony of repentant sorrow : O Imogen! My queen, my life, my wife! O Imogen, Imogen, Imogen!" Yet he had not recognised the boy; for, indeed, he had no thought for anything save his own harsh cruelty to his dear one.

66

"Peace, my lord," cried the lad, "hear more!" Posthumus, resenting what he thought to be a foolish interruption, darted forward and struck Fidele, and the boy staggered and fell. Pisanio cried out, "It is your wife, my lord Posthumus!" A hush fell upon all. But Imogen soon revived. All her past injuries were forgotten in the strength of her great loving forgiveness, and with a rapturous cry she flung herself upon the bosom of Posthumus. He could not realise that the wife he thought was dead was now clasped in his arms, until Pisanio explained that the bloodstained kerchief had been nothing but a device.

With heartfelt joy King Cymbeline received his daughter once again, and welcomed the banished Posthumus, whom he now restored to more than his former honours. The mention of Prince Cloten recalled to him the troubles of the former time, and a cloud came over his face when he learned from Guiderius that Cloten had been slain by him outside the cave. He ordered his soldiers to arrest the young champion, even though he had rendered such splendid service to the cause of King Cymbeline and to Britain.

"Nay," said Belarius, "hold, great King, there is something more to be said. Let his arms alone; they were not born for bondage."

And then to the wonder of all who heard, and to the profound joy of the King, Belarius revealed the story of their birth, their abduction from the royal nursery, and their upbringing by himself in the mountain fastness.

66

They are thine own, O King,

Here are your sons again; and I must lose

Two of the sweet'st companions in the world.-
The benediction of these covering heavens

Fall on their heads like dew! for they are worthy
To inlay heaven with stars."

King Cymbeline had felt his interest drawn out to the young men even before Belarius had revealed their identity, but his wildest hopes had not risen to the height of anticipating that the sons whose loss he had mourned for more than twenty years would one day stand before him, in all the strength and manhood of champions whose brave hearts and strong arms had brought a great victory to his people. He questioned Belarius, whose face now stood out clearly in his memory, concerning the garments they had worn, and certain marks upon their bodies. To all his inquiries the old man gave abundant answers, and Cymbeline was satisfied that Arviragus and Guiderius were indeed his sons. Thus, though he had lost his Queen and Cloten, he had gained far more in the restoration of the Princess Imogen, her husband, and the two Princes, and he was well content with his good fortune.

Imogen had suffered much bitterness of soul in the loss of her good name, the alienation of her husband, and the hardships she had endured. Her anguish of soul had once blazed into resentment, but her gentle heart