spair, to disguise herself as a boy, and enter the service of Lattantio, in the capacity of his page. Her father quitted Aix for a time, and by the aid of her nurse she effected her scheme. The attention and graceful assiduity of Nicuola quickly engaged the confidence of her master. Alas! this happiness proved but a prelude to the bitterest mortification. In the hope that the beautiful person and insinuating address of his page might propitiate the affections of Catella, his new mistress, Lattantio despatched Nicuola as a messenger of love to her. The beauty of the emissary proved dangerous to the lady, who yielded her heart a willing captive, and openly avowed her weakness. The sudden return of Ambrogio compelled the reluctant Nicuola to fly from the service of Lattantio. At this critical juncture the long lost brother, Paolo, re-appeared. His master died at Naples, and bequeathed to him his wealth, and Paolo immediately set out in search of his parent and his sister. Arriving at Aix, he accidentally passed the house of Catella, who mistook Paolo for the page of whom she was enamoured, and ordered her maid to invite him in. He entered with a mind full of doubts regarding the quality of the lady.

In the mean time Lattantio was much distressed

by the unaccountable disappearance of his page, for whom he felt the greatest regard: he instituted the most anxious inquiries, and Nicuola was at length traced to the house of her nurse Philippa. The good woman vehemently denied that either man or boy had taken refuge there; and then contrived so skilfully to avail herself of her knowledge of Lattantio's affairs as gradually to excite his attention. She enlarged on the pangs of unrequited love, she assured him of the hopelessness of his passion for Catella, who doated on another; and then, reverting to his former attachment, obtained the important confession, that if the beautiful Nicuola retained her regard for him, she was doubly entitled to his affection. "She loves you yet," exclaimed Philippa, "loves you with unabated ardour; and often has she declared to me that she shall never cease to doso but with life."-"Alas!" interrupted Lattantio, "do not endeavour to deceive me?"-"I do not deceive you,” replied Philippa; “I can convince you of the truth of what I say: Nicuola loves you; for you she deserted her father's house; for you she discarded the timidity of her sex, the wealth she was heir to, and the rank she filled in life; and entered service as a menial your as a page. Behold!" she continued, presenting her in the dress of a boy to Lattantio, "behold your Nicuola,

behold your much regretted page; she who disregarded the whole world for your sake, and at the risk of her life and reputation waited on you day and night." Lattantio was lost in wonder: but presently recovering, vowed eternal fidelity; and Nicuola, whose fondest wishes were realised, could scarce restrain the swelling transports of her soul.

It is almost needless to add, that a second interview between Paolo and Catella proved equally satisfactory to both, and that they were married on the same day that witnessed the union of Lattantio and Nicuola.

It was long supposed that from this tale Shakspeare formed the plot of Twelfth Night, having either read it in Belleforest's Histoires Tragiques, of which it is the seventh history of the fourth volume, or in an old translation of that work. But the discordances between the play and the novel are so numerous, that the supposition of the drama emanating from the latter is open to many objections; and the much nearer affinity of Shakspeare's plot to the Historie of Apolonius and Silla, in a collection entitled, Rich, his Farewell to Militarie Profession, 1583, appears to demonstrate its incorrectness.

It was the misfortune of Duke Apolonius to be wrecked on the isle of Cyprus on his return

.

to Constantinople from a crusade against the infidels. He was succoured and hospitably entertained by Pontus, the duke and governor, whose daughter, Silla, became deeply enamoured of the young and handsome guest. But wholly engrossed by the desire of returning to his native city, Apolonius was insensible to such advances as the modesty of Silla permitted her to make, and he departed ignorant of her attachment.

The difficulties in the way of its gratification inflamed the love of Silla, and trusting herself to the protection of a faithful servant, she stole from her father's court in pursuit of Apolonius. The vessel in which she embarked was wrecked, Pedro, her servant, was drowned, and she herself barely escaped with life on a chest belonging to the captain. The chest was rich in apparel and in coin she disguised herself as a man, assumed the name of her brother, Silvio, prosecuted her journey, and arrived safe at Constantinople. She directed her steps to the palace of Apolonius, offered herself to him as a page, and was readily received into his service. Her attention and diligence speedily recommended her to the notice of her master, and of all his servants she was first in his confidence and love.

There was resident in Constantinople a widow named Julina, famous for wealth and beauty, to

whom Apolonius endeavoured, in vain, to make himself acceptable. Silvio was the bearer of his tokens of affection, and, altogether desirous to please her master, pressed his suit with earnestness. Though cold to Apolonius, the lady was not insensible to the charms of grace and beauty, and she became as deeply entangled in love with the page as his master was with herself. "Silvio," said Julina, interrupting him in a message from his master, "it is enough that you have said in behalf of another; henceforth speak only for yourself, or be for ever silent."

The clandestine flight of Silla from her father's court was ascribed to her seduction by Pedro who accompanied her, and her brother vowed never to discontinue his pursuit of the fugitives till he had found and punished the betrayer of his sister's honour. He traversed many countries without success, and at length reached Constantinople. He had been there but a few days when Julina met and accosted him as the page of Apolonius, for so strong was the resemblance of Silvio and Silla that it was impossible for strangers to distinguish them.

The curiosity of Silvio was awakened at being thus familiarly addressed, and perceiving by the splendour of Julina's train that she was no less wealthy than beautiful, he answered her with