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THE ADVENTURES OF PERICLES.
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cles became the husband of this charming princess, and continued in the court of Simonides in the enjoyment of a contentment so perfect, that it seemed as if the future could have no more ill fortune in store for him.

But his adventures were not yet to cease. Nearly a year had passed since his marriage without hearing from his deserted kingdom of Tyre. Everything was not quiet in that city, however. Helicanus had ruled with great wisdom in his stead, but the people did not accept him as their real ruler, and were impatient and angry at the long, unexplained absence of their proper lord. At last impatience rose to mutiny against Pericles, and a deputation of lords waited on Helicanus to inform him, that as he had long wielded the sceptre very wisely, they wished to place the crown on his head, whose deserts were no less than such an honor. It happened that Helicanus had just received news of the death of Antiochus, and he now knew that it would be safe for his master to return to Tyre. He therefore begged the nobles to give him one year in which to find Pericles and restore to him his throne, and promised, if at the end of that time he were not found, to be himself crowned king. With this the citizens were obliged to be content, and this loyal minister of Pericles sent messengers and letters in all directions, to find the