g the Trick]

[The Gentleman discovering the Trick]

[Illustration: 183.jpg Page Image]

_TALE XVI_.

_A lady of Milan, widow of an Italian Count, had resolved never again
to marry or to love. But for three years she was so earnestly wooed by a
French gentleman, that after repeated proof of the steadfastness of his
love, she granted him what he had so greatly desired, and they vowed to
each other everlasting affection_. (l)

In the days of the Grand Master of Chaumont, (2) there lived a lady who
was reckoned one of the most honourable women that there were at that
time in the city of Milan. She had married an Italian Count, and being
left a widow, lived in the house of her brothers-in-law, refusing to
hear speak of another marriage. And so discreetly and piously did she
demean herself that there was none in the Duchy, whether French or
Italian, but held her in high esteem.

1 According to M. de Lincy, who points out that Bonnivet
must be the hero of the adventure here related, the
incidents referred to would have occurred at Milan between
1501 and 1503; but in M. Lacroix's opinion they would be
posterior to 1506.--Ed.

2 See _ante_, note 1 to Tale XIV.

One day when her brothers and sisters-in-law offered an entertainment to
the Grand Master of Chaumont, this widow lady was obliged to be present,
though she made it her rule not to attend such gatherings when held in
other places. And when the Frenchmen saw her, they were all admiration
for her beauty and grace, especially one among them whose name I shall
not mention; for it will suffice for you to know that there was no
Frenchman in Italy more worthy of love than he, for he was endowed with
all the beauties and graces that a gentleman could have. And though he
saw that the lady wore black crape, and remained with several old women
in a corner apart from the young ones, yet, having never known what it
was to fear either man or woman, he set himself to converse with her,
taking off his mask, and leaving the dance in order to remain in her
company.

Throughout the whole of the evening he did not cease talking to her and
to the old women, and found more pleasure in doing so than if he had
been with the most youthful and bravely attired ladies of the Court. So
much, indeed, was this the case, that when the hour came to withdraw he
seemed to have not yet had time even to sit down. And although he only
spoke to the lady on suc