Messer Gentile thereupon told her all.  Sore distressed thereat, the lady, after a while, thanked him as best she might; after which she besought him by the love that he had borne her, and of his courtesy, that she might, while she tarried in his house, be spared aught that could impair her honour and her husband’s; and that at daybreak he would suffer her to return home.  “Madam,” replied Messer Gentile, “however I did affect you in time past, since God in His goodness has, by means of the love I bore you, restored you to me alive, I mean not now, or at any time hereafter, to entreat you either here or elsewhere, save as a dear sister; but yet the service I have to-night rendered you merits some guerdon, and therefore lief had I that you deny me not a favour which I shall ask of you.”  Whereto the lady graciously made answer that she would be prompt to grant it, so only it were in her power, and consonant with her honour.  Said then Messer Gentile:—­“Your kinsfolk, Madam, one and all, nay, all the folk in Bologna are fully persuaded that you are dead:  there is therefore none to expect you at home:  wherefore the favour I crave of you is this, that you will be pleased to tarry privily here with my mother, until such time—­which will be speedily—­as I return from Modena.  And ’tis for that I purpose to make solemn and joyous donation of you to your husband in presence of the most honourable folk of this city that I ask of you this grace.”  Mindful of what she owed the knight, and witting that what he craved was seemly, the lady, albeit she yearned not a little to gladden her kinsfolk with the sight of her in the flesh, consented to do as Messer Gentile besought her, and thereto pledged him her faith.  And scarce had she done so, when she felt that the hour of her travail was come; and so, tenderly succoured by Messer Gentile’s mother, she not long after gave birth to a fine boy.  Which event did mightily enhance her own and Messer Gentile’s happiness.  Then, having made all meet provision for her, and left word that she was to be tended as if she were his own wife, Messer Gentile, observing strict secrecy, returned to Modena.

His time of office there ended, in anticipation of his return to Bologna, he appointed for the morning of his arrival in the city a great and goodly banquet at his house, whereto were bidden not a few of the gentlemen of Bologna, and among them Niccoluccio Caccianimico.  Whom, when he was returned and dismounted, he found awaiting him, as also the lady, fairer and more healthful than ever, and her little son doing well; and so with a gladness beyond compare he ranged his guests at table, and regaled them with many a course magnificently served.  And towards the close of the feast, having premonished the lady of his intention, and concerted with her how she should behave, thus he spoke:—­“Gentlemen, I mind me to have once heard tell of (as I deem it) a delightsome custom which they have in Persia; to wit, that, when one would do his friend especial honour,