affection which Amadour bore to her daughter, though she suffered
it and concealed it for the sake of the merits she perceived in him,
took Florida apart and told her the mournful tidings. Florida, who was
well able to dissemble, replied that it was a great loss to the entire
household, and that above all she pitied his poor wife, who was herself
so ill. Nevertheless, seeing that her mother wept exceedingly, she shed
a few tears to bear her company; for she feared that if she dissembled
too far the feint might be discovered. From that time the Countess often
spoke to her of Amadour, but never could she surprise a look to guide
her judgment.

I will pass over the pilgrimages, prayers, supplications, and fasts
which Florida regularly performed to ensure the safety of Amadour.
As soon as he had arrived at Tunis, he failed not to send tidings of
himself to his friends, and by a trusty messenger he apprised Florida
that he was in good health, and had hopes of seeing her again. This was
the only consolation the poor lady had in her grief, and you may be sure
that, since she was permitted to write, she did so with all diligence,
so that Amadour had no lack of her letters to comfort him.

The Countess of Aranda was about this time commanded to repair to
Saragossa, where the King had arrived; and here she found the young
Duke of Cardona, who so pressed the King and Queen that they begged
the Countess to give him their daughter in marriage. (17) The Countess
consented, for she was unwilling to disobey them in anything, and
moreover she considered that her daughter, being so young, could have no
will of her own.

17 The Spanish historians state that in 1513 the King, to
put an end to a quarrel between the Count of Aranda and the
Count of Ribagorce, charged Father John of Estuniga,
Provincial of the Order of St. Francis, to negotiate a
reconciliation between them, based on the marriage of the
eldest daughter of the Count of Aranda with the eldest son
of the Count of Ribagorce. The latter refusing his consent,
was banished from the kingdom.--D.

When all was settled, she told Florida that she had chosen for her the
match which seemed most suitable. Florida, knowing that when a thing is
once done there is small room for counsel, replied that God was to be
praised for all things; and, finding her mother look coldly upon her,
she sought rather to obey her than to take pity on herself. It sca