the
other. Whenas the day began to appear, they arose,--it being her
pleasure, so the thing might not be suspected of any,--and she, having
given him some sorry clothes and a purse full of money and shown him
how he should go about to enter the town and find his servant, put him
forth at the postern whereby he had entered, praying him keep the
matter secret.

As soon as it was broad day and the gates were opened, he entered the
town, feigning to come from afar, and found his servant. Therewithal
he donned the clothes that were in the saddle-bags and was about to
mount the man's horse and depart, when, as by a miracle, it befell
that the three highwaymen, who had robbed him overnight, having been a
little after taken for some other misdeed of them committed, were
brought into the town and on their confession, his horse and clothes
and money were restored to him, nor did he lose aught save a pair of
garters, with which the robbers knew not what they had done. Rinaldo
accordingly gave thanks to God and St. Julian and taking horse,
returned home, safe and sound, leaving the three rogues to go kick on
the morrow against the wind."[87]

[Footnote 87: _i.e._ to be hanged or, in the equivalent English idiom,
to dance upon nothing.]

THE THIRD STORY

[Day the Second]

THREE YOUNG MEN SQUANDER THEIR SUBSTANCE AND BECOME POOR;
BUT A NEPHEW OF THEIRS, RETURNING HOME IN DESPERATION,
FALLETH IN WITH AN ABBOT AND FINDETH HIM TO BE THE KING'S
DAUGHTER OF ENGLAND, WHO TAKETH HIM TO HUSBAND AND MAKETH
GOOD ALL HIS UNCLES' LOSSES, RESTORING THEM TO GOOD ESTATE

The adventures of Rinaldo d'Asti were hearkened with admiration and
his devoutness commended by the ladies, who returned thanks to God and
St. Julian for that they had succoured him in his utmost need. Nor yet
(though this was said half aside) was the lady reputed foolish, who
had known how to take the good God had sent her in her own house. But,
whilst they discoursed, laughing in their sleeves, of the pleasant
night she had had, Pampinea, seeing herself beside Filostrato and
deeming, as indeed it befell, that the next turn would rest with her,
began to collect her thoughts and take counsel with herself what she
should say; after which, having received the queen's commandment, she
proceeded to speak thus, no less resolutely than blithely, "Noble
ladies, the more it is discoursed of the doings of Fortune, the more,
to whoso is fain to consi