, and at these the gentleman and his wife were not
forgotten. Now, inasmuch as men willingly believe what they desire, it
seemed to the King that the glances of this lady gave him fair promise
of future happiness, if only she were not restrained by her husband's
presence. Accordingly, that he might learn whether his surmise was
true, the King intrusted a commission to the husband, and sent him on a
journey to Rome for a fortnight or three weeks.

As soon as the gentleman was gone, his wife, who had never before been
separated from him, was in great distress; but the King comforted her as
often as he was able, with gentle persuasions and presents, so that
at last she was not only consoled, but well pleased with her husband's
absence. Before the three weeks were over at the end of which he was to
be home again, she had come to be so deeply in love with the King that
her husband's return was no less displeasing to her than his departure
had been. Not wishing to be deprived of the King's society, she agreed
with him that whenever her husband went to his country-house she would
give him notice of it. He might then visit her in safety, and with such
secrecy that her honour, which she regarded more than her conscience,
would not suffer.(4)

4 The edition of 1558 is here followed, the MSS. being
rather obscure.--M.

Having this hope, the lady continued of very cheerful mind, and when her
husband arrived she welcomed him so heartily that, even had he been
told that the King had sought her in his absence, he would have had no
suspicion. In course of time, however, the flame, that is so difficult
of concealment, began to show itself, and the husband, having a strong
inkling of the truth, kept good watch, by which means he was well-nigh
convinced. Nevertheless, as he feared that the man who wronged him
would treat him still worse if he appeared to notice it, he resolved to
dissemble, holding it better to live in trouble than to risk his life
for a woman who had ceased to love him.

In his vexation of spirit, however, he resolved, if he could, to retort
upon the King, and knowing that women, especially such as are of lofty
and honourable minds, are more moved by resentment than by love, he made
bold one day while speaking with the Queen (5) to tell her that it moved
his pity to see her so little loved by the King.

5 This was Mary (daughter of Henry III. of Castile), who was
married to King Alfonso at Valenc