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Giovanni； a conclusion passed betweene them； that （upon a certaine
signale given） he should come； and finde the doore standing ready
open； to give him all accesse unto the affected Mayden。
The appointed night being come； and neither of these hot Lovers
knowing the others intent； but their suspition being alike； and
encreasing still more and more； they made choyce of certaine friends
and associates； well armed and provided； for eithers safer entrance
when need should require。
Menghino stayed with his troope； in a neere neighbouring house to
the Mayden； attending when the signall would be given： but Giovanni
and his consorts； were ambushed somewhat further off from the house；
and both saw when Jacomino went foorth to supper。 Now Grinello and the
Chambermaide began to vary； which should send the other out of the
way； till they had effected their severall invention； wherupon
Grinello said to her。 What maketh thee to walke thus about the
house； and why doest thou not get thee to bed？ And thou （quoth the
Maide） why doest thou not goe to attend on our Master； and tarry for
his returning home？ I am sure thou hast supt long agoe； and I know
no businesse here in the house for thee to doe。 Thus （by no meanes）
the one could send away the other； but either remained as the others
hinderance。
But Grinello remembring himselfe； that the houre of his
appointment with Giovanni was come； he saide to himselfe。 What care
I whether our olde Maide be present； or no？ If she disclose any
thing that I doe； I can be revenged on her when I list。 So； having
made the signall； he went to open the doore； even when Giovanni （and
two of his confederates） rushed into the House； and finding the
faire young Maiden sitting in the Hall； laide hands on her； to beare
her away。 The Damosell began to resist them； crying out for helpe so
loude as she could； as the olde Chamber…maide did the like： which
Menghino hearing； he ranne thither presently with his friends； and
seeing the young Damosell brought well…neere out of the House； they
drew their Swords； crying out： Traytors； you are but dead men； here is
no violence to be offered； neither is this a booty for such base
groomes。 So they layed about them lustily； and would not permit them
to passe any further。 On the other side； upon this mutinous noyse
and outcry； the Neighbours came foorth of their houses； with lights；
staves； and clubbes； greatly reproving them for this out…rage； yet
assisting Menghino： by meanes whereof； after a long time of
contention； Menghino recovered the Mayden from Giovanni； and placed
her peaceably in Jacominoes House。
No sooner was this hurly burly somewhat calmed； but the Serjeants to
the Captine of the City； came thither； and apprehended divers of the
mutiners： among whom were Menghino； Giovanni； and Grinello； committing
them immediately to prison。 But after every thing was pacified； and
Jacomino returned home to his house from supper； he was not a little
offended at so grosse an injury。 When he was fully informed； how the
matter happened； and apparantly perceived； that no blame at all
could be imposed on the Mayden： he grew the better contented；
resolving with himselfe （because no more such inconveniences should
happen） to have her married so soone as possibly he could。
When morning was come the kindred and friends on either side；
understanding the truth of the errour committed； and knowing beside；
what punishment would be inflicted on the prisoners； if Jacomino
pressed the matter no further； then as with reason and equity well
he might； they repaired to him； and （in gentle speeches） entreated
him； not to regard a wrong offered by unruly and youthfull people；
meerely drawne into the action by perswasion of friends； submitting
both themselves； and the offendors； to such satisfaction as ＇he＇
pleased to appoint them。 Jacomino； who had seene and observed many
things in his time； and was a man of sound understanding； returned
them this answer。
Gentlemen； if I were in mine owne Country； as now I am in yours； I
would as for wardly confesse my selfe your friend； as here I must
needes fall short of any such service； but even as you shall please to
command me。 But plainely； and without all further ceremonious
complement； I must agree to whatsoever you can request； as thinking
you to be more injured by me； then any great wrong that I have
sustained。 Concerning the young Damosell remaining in my House； she is
not （as many have imagined） either of Cremona； or Pavia； but borne a
Faentine； here in this Citie： albeit neither my selfe； she； or he of
whome I had her； did ever know it； or yet could learne whose
Daughter she was。 Wherefore； the suite you make to me； should rather
（in duty） be mine to you： for shee is a native of your owne； doe right
to her； and then you can doe no wrong unto mee。
When the Gentlemen understood； that the Mayden was borne in
Faenza； they marvelled thereat； and after they had thanked Jacomino
for his curteous answer； they desired him to let them know； by what
meanes the Damosell came into his custody； and how he knew her to be
borne in Faenza： when hee； perceiving them attentive to heare him；
began in this manner。
Understand worthy Gentlemen； that Guidotto of Cremona； was my
companion and deare friend； who growing neere to his death； tolde me
that when this City was surprized by the Emperour Frederigo； and all
things committed to sacke and spoile； he and certaine of his
confederates entred into a House； which they found to bee well
furnished with goods； but utterly forsaken of the dwellers； onely this
poore Mayden excepted； being then aged but two yeeres； or
thereabout。 As hee mounted up the steps； with intent to depart from
the House； she called him Father； which word moved him so
compassionately； that he went backe againe； brought her away with him；
and all things of worth which were in the House： going thence
afterward to Fano； and there deceasing； hee left her and all his goods
to my charge； conditionally； that I should see her married when due
time required； and bestow on her the wealth which he had left her。
Now； very true it is； although her yeeres are convenient for marriage；
yet I could never finde any one to bestow her on； at least that I
thought fitting for her： howbeit I will listen thereto much more
respectively； before any other such accident shall happen。
It came to passe； that in the reporting of this discourse； there was
then a Gentleman in the company； named Guillemino da Medicina； who
at the surprizall of the City； was present with Guidotto of Cremona；
and knew well the House which he had ransacked； the owner whereof
was also present with him； wherefore taking him aside； he said to him。
Bernardino； hearest thou what Jacomino hath related？ Yes very well；
replyed Bernardino； and remember withall； that in that dismall
bloody combustion； I lost a little Daughter； about the age as Jacomino
speaketh。 Questionlesse then replyed Guillemino； she must needs be the
same young Mayden； for I was there at the same time； and in the House；
whence Guidotto did bring both the Girle and goods； and I do perfectly
remember； that it was thy House。 I pray thee call to minde； if
everthou sawest any scarre or marke about her； which may revive thy
former knowledge of her； for my minde perswades me； that the Maide
is thy Daughter。
Bernardino musing awhile with himselfe； remembred； that under her
left eare； she had a scarre； in the forme of a little crosse； which
happened by the byting of a Wolfe； and but a small while before the
spoyle was made。 Wherefore； without deferring it to any further
time； he stept to Jacomino who as yet stayed there） and entreated
him to fetch the Mayden from his house； because shee might be knowne
to some in the company： whereto right willingly he condiscended； and
there presented the Maide before them。 So soone as Bernardino beheld
her； he began to be much inwardly moved； for the perfect character
of her Mothers countenance； was really figured in her sweete face；
onely that her beauty was somewhat more excelling。 Yet not herewith
satisfied； he desired Jacomino to bee so pleased； as to lift up a
little the lockes of haire； depen