“If you know anything about a virtuous woman, I pray you set it forth.”
“Since I am to do what I can,” said Geburon, “I will tell you a tale of
something that happened in the city of Milan.”
[Illustration: 182.jpg Tailpiece]
[Illustration: 183a.jpg The Gentleman discovering the Trick]
[The Gentleman discovering the Trick]
[Illustration: 183.jpg Page Image]
_TALE XVI_.
_A lady of Milan, widow of an Italian Count, had resolved never again
to marry or to love. But for three years she was so earnestly wooed by a
French gentleman, that after repeated proof of the steadfastness of his
love, she granted him what he had so greatly desired, and they vowed to
each other everlasting affection_. (l)
In the days of the Grand Master of Chaumont, (2) there lived a lady who
was reckoned one of the most honourable women that there were at that
time in the city of Milan. She had married an Italian Count, and being
left a widow, lived in the house of her brothers-in-law, refusing to
hear speak of another marriage. And so discreetly and piously did she
demean herself that there was none in the Duchy, whether French or
Italian, but held her in high esteem.
1 According to M. de Lincy, who points out that Bonnivet
must be the hero of the adventure here related, the
incidents referred to would have occurred at Milan between
1501 and 1503; but in M. Lacroix’s opinion they would be
posterior to 1506.--Ed.