s full, and your Holiness and that through
you I might make manifest, in your presence and consequently in that
of the rest of mankind, the marriage contracted between Alessandro
and myself in the presence of God alone. Wherefore I humbly pray you
that this which hath pleased God and me may find favour with you and
that you will vouchsafe us your benison, in order that with this, as
with more assurance of His approof whose Vicar you are, we may live
and ultimately die together.'

Alessandro marvelled to hear that the damsel was the King's daughter
of England and was inwardly filled with exceeding great gladness; but
the two knights marvelled yet more and were so incensed, that, had
they been otherwhere than in the Pope's presence, they had done
Alessandro a mischief and belike the lady also. The Pope also, on his
part, marvelled exceedingly both at the habit of the lady and at her
choice; but, seeing that there was no going back on that which was
done, he consented to satisfy her of her prayer. Accordingly, having
first appeased the two knights, whom he knew to be angered, and made
them well at one again with the lady and Alessandro, he took order for
that which was to do, and the day appointed by him being come, before
all the cardinals and many other men of great worship, come, at his
bidding, to a magnificent bride-feast prepared by him, he produced the
lady, royally apparelled, who showed so fair and so agreeable that she
was worthily commended of all, and on like wise Alessandro splendidly
attired, in bearing and appearance no whit like a youth who had lent
at usury, but rather one of royal blood, and now much honoured of the
two knights. There he caused solemnly celebrate the marriage afresh
and after goodly and magnificent nuptials made, he dismissed them with
his benison.

It pleased Alessandro, and likewise the lady, departing Rome, to
betake themselves to Florence, whither report had already carried the
news. There they were received by the townsfolk with the utmost honour
and the lady caused liberate the three brothers, having first paid
every man [his due]. Moreover, she reinstated them and their ladies in
their possessions and with every one's goodwill, because of this, she
and her husband departed Florence, carrying Agolante with them, and
coming to Paris, were honourably entertained by the King. Thence the
two knights passed into England and so wrought with the King that the
latter restored to his daugh