5 This would be either the chateau of Amboise or that of
     Blois, we are inclined to think the latter, as Louis XII.
     more frequently resided there.—­Ed.

Then, seeing how great was the love she bore him, he feared not to say—­

“You see, fair lady, what risk I run in your service, and how the Queen has forbidden you to speak with me.  You see, further, what manner of man is your father, who has no thought whatsoever of bestowing you in marriage.  He has rejected so many excellent suitors, that I know of none, whether near or far, that can win you.  I know that I am poor, and that you could not wed a gentleman that were not richer than I; yet, if love and good-will were counted wealth, I should hold myself for the richest man on earth.  God has given you great wealth, and you are like to have even more.  Were I so fortunate as to be chosen for your husband, I would be your husband, lover and servant all my life long; whereas, if you take one of equal consideration with yourself—­and such a one it were hard to find—­he will seek to be the master, and will have more regard for your wealth than for your person, and for the beauty of others than for your virtue; and, whilst enjoying the use of your wealth, he will fail to treat you, yourself, as you deserve.  And now my longing to have this delight, and my fear that you will have none such with another, impel me to pray that you will make me a happy man, and yourself the most contented and best treated wife that ever lived.”

When Rolandine heard the very words that she herself had purposed speaking to him, she replied with a glad countenance—­

“I am well pleased that you have been the first to speak such words as I had a long while past resolved to say to you.  For the two years that I have known you I have never ceased to turn over in my mind all the arguments for you and against you that I was able to devise; but now that I am at last resolved to enter into the married state, it is time that 1 should make a beginning and choose some one with whom I may look to dwell with tranquil mind.  And I have been able to find none, whether handsome, rich, or nobly born, with whom my heart and soul could agree excepting yourself alone.  I know that in marrying you I shall not offend God, but rather do what He enjoins, while as to his lordship my father, he has regarded my welfare so little, and has rejected so many offers, that the law suffers me to marry without fear of being disinherited; though, even if I had only that which is now mine, I should, in marrying such a husband as you, account myself the richest woman in the world.  As to the Queen, my mistress, I need have no qualms in displeasing her in order to obey God, for never had she any in hindering me from any blessing that I might have had in my youth.  But, to show you that the love I bear you is founded upon virtue and honour, you must promise that if I agree to this marriage, you will not seek its consummation until my father be dead, or until I have found a means to win his consent.”