request that he would be pleased to tell her the occasion of his sighs.  Whereupon:—­“Madam,” said Anichino, “I greatly fear me, that, were I to tell it you, ’twould but vex you; and, moreover, I doubt you might repeat it to some one else.”  “Rest assured,” returned the lady, “that I shall neither be annoyed, nor, without thy leave, ever repeat to any other soul aught that thou mayst say.”  “Then,” said Anichino, “having this pledge from you, I will tell it you.”  And, while the tears all but stood in his eyes, he told her, who he was, the report he had heard of her, and where and how he had become enamoured of her, and with what intent he had taken service with her husband:  after which, he humbly besought her, that, if it might be, she would have pity on him, and gratify this his secret and ardent desire; and that, if she were not minded so to do, she would suffer him to retain his place there, and love her.  Ah!  Bologna! how sweetly mixed are the elements in thy women!  How commendable in such a case are they all!  No delight have they in sighs and tears, but are ever inclinable to prayers, and ready to yield to the solicitations of Love.  Had I but words apt to praise them as they deserve, my eloquence were inexhaustible.

The gentlewoman’s gaze was fixed on Anichino as he spoke; she made no doubt that all he said was true, and yielding to his appeal, she entertained his love within her heart in such measure that she too began to sigh, and after a sigh or two made answer:—­“Sweet my Anichino, be of good cheer; neither presents nor promises, nor any courting by gentleman, or lord, or whoso else (for I have been and am still courted by not a few) was ever able to sway my soul to love any of them:  but thou, by the few words that thou hast said, hast so wrought with me that, brief though the time has been, I am already in far greater measure thine than mine.  My love I deem thee to have won right worthily; and so I give it thee, and vow to give thee joyance thereof before the coming night be past.  To which end thou wilt come to my room about midnight; I will leave the door open; thou knowest the side of the bed on which I sleep; thou wilt come there; should I be asleep, thou hast but to touch me, and I shall awake, and give thee solace of thy long-pent desire.  In earnest whereof I will even give thee a kiss.”  So saying, she threw her arms about his neck, and lovingly kissed him, as Anichino her.

Their colloquy thus ended, Anichino betook him elsewhere about some matters which he had to attend to, looking forward to midnight with boundless exultation.  Egano came in from his hawking; and after supper, being weary, went straight to bed, whither the lady soon followed him, leaving, as she had promised, the door of the chamber open.  Thither accordingly, at the appointed hour, came Anichino, and having softly entered the chamber, and closed the door behind him, stole up to where the lady lay, and laying his hand upon her breast, found that she was awake.  Now,