lage, where all who saw him fled, as
men use to do from things frightful; but he called them back and
avouched himself to be raised up again. His wife on like wise feigned
to be adread of him; but, after the folk were somewhat reassured anent
him and saw that he was indeed alive, they questioned him of many
things, and he, as it were he had returned wise, made answer to all
and gave them news of the souls of their kinsfolk, making up, of his
own motion, the finest fables in the world of the affairs of purgatory
and recounting in full assembly the revelation made him by the mouth
of the Rangel Bragiel[197] ere he was raised up again. Then, returning
to his house and entering again into possession of his goods, he got
his wife, as he thought, with child, and by chance it befell that, in
due time,--to the thinking of the fools who believe that women go just
nine months with child,--the lady gave birth to a boy, who was called
Benedict Ferondi.[198]

[Footnote 197: _i.e._ the Angel Gabriel.]

[Footnote 198: The plural of a surname is, in strictness, always used
by the Italians in speaking of a man by his full name, _dei_ being
understood between the Christian and surname, as _Benedetto_ (_dei_)
_Ferondi_, Benedict of the Ferondos or Ferondo family, whilst, when he
is denominated by the surname alone, it is used in the singular, _il_
(the) being understood, _e.g._ (Il) Boccaccio, (Il) Ferondo, _i.e._
the particular Boccaccio or Ferondo in question for the nonce.]

Ferondo's return and his talk, well nigh every one believing him to
have risen from the dead, added infinitely to the renown of the
abbot's sanctity, and he himself, as if cured of his jealousy by the
many beatings he had received therefor, thenceforward, according to
the promise made by the abbot to the lady, was no more jealous;
whereat she was well pleased and lived honestly with him, as of her
wont, save indeed that, whenas she conveniently might, she willingly
foregathered with the holy abbot, who had so well and diligently
served her in her greatest needs."

THE NINTH STORY

[Day the Third]

GILLETTE DE NARBONNE RECOVERETH THE KING OF FRANCE OF A
FISTULA AND DEMANDETH FOR HER HUSBAND BERTRAND DE
ROUSSILLON, WHO MARRIETH HER AGAINST HIS WILL AND BETAKETH
HIM FOR DESPITE TO FLORENCE, WHERE, HE PAYING COURT TO A
YOUNG LADY, GILLETTE, IN THE PERSON OF THE LATTER, LIETH
WITH HIM AND HATH BY HIM TWO SONS; WHEREFORE AFTER,