Besides this, madam, in order that he may not think he has done anything
pleasing in your sight, I am of opinion you should little by little
withdraw the friendship you have been in the habit of showing him. In
this way he will know how much you scorn his rashness, and how great is
your goodness, since, content with the victory that God has given you,
you seek no further vengeance upon him. And may God give you grace,
madam, to continue in the virtue He has placed in your heart; and,
knowing that all good things come from Him, may you love and serve Him
better than before.”
The Princess determined to abide by the advice of her lady of honour,
and then fell asleep with joy as great as was the sadness of her waking
lover.
On the morrow, the lord, her brother, wishing to depart, inquired for
his host, and was told that he was too ill to bear the light or to hear
any one speak. The Prince was greatly astonished at this, and wished to
go and see the gentleman; however, learning that he was asleep, he would
not awake him, but left the house without bidding him farewell. He took
with him his wife and sister, and the latter, hearing the excuses sent
by the gentleman, who would not see the Prince or any of the company
before their departure, felt convinced that it was indeed he who had so
tormented her, and that he durst not let the marks which she had left
upon his face be seen. And although his master frequently sent for him,
he did not return to Court until he was quite healed of all his wounds,
save only one--namely, that which love and vexation had dealt to his
heart.
When he did return, and found himself in presence of his victorious
foe, he could not but blush; and such was his confusion, that he who had
formerly been the boldest of all the company, was often wholly abashed
before her. Accordingly, being now quite certain that her suspicion was
true, she estranged herself from him little by little, though not so
adroitly that he did not perceive it; but he durst not give any sign
for fear of meeting with something still worse, and so he kept his love
concealed, patiently enduring the disgrace he had so well deserved.(12)
12 This story is referred to by Brantôme, both in his _Vies
des Homines illustres et grands Capitaines français_, and in
his _Vies des Dames galantes_. See Appendix to the
present volume (C. ).
“This, ladies, is a story which should be a warning to those who would
grasp at what does not belong to them, and which, further, should
strengthen the hearts of ladies, since it shows the virtue of this young
Princess, and the good sense of her lady of honour. If the like fortune
should befall any among you, the remedy has now been pointed out.”
“It seems to me,” said Hircan, “that the tall gentleman of whom you have
told us was so lacking in spirit as to be unworthy of being remembered.
With such an opportunity as that, he ought not to have suffered any one,
old or young, to baffle him in his enterprise. It must be said, also,
that his heart was not entirely filled with love, seeing that fear of
death and shame found place within it.”
“And what,” replied Nomerfide, “could the poor gentleman have done with
two women against him?”
“He ought to have killed the old one,” said Hircan, “and when the young
one found herself without assistance she would have been already half
subdued.”
“To have killed her!” said Nomerfide. “Then you would turn a lover into
a murderer? Since such is your opinion, it would indeed be a fearful
thing to fall into your hands.”
“If I had gone so far,” said Hircan, “I should have held it
dishonourable not to achieve my purpose.”