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more in marriage； because she bare affection to a gallant young
Gentleman； whom she had made her private election of； and with whom
（having excluded all other amorous cares and cogitations） by meanes of
her Waitingwoman； she had divers meetings； and kinde conferences。
It chanced at the verie same time； another young Gentleman of our
Citie； called Reniero； having long studied in the Schooles at Paris；
returned home to Florence； not to make sale of his Learning and
experience； as many doe： but to understand the reason of things； as
also the causes and effects of them； which is mervailously fitting for
any Gentleman。 Being greatly honoured and esteemed of every one； as
well for his courteous carriage towards all in generall； as for his
knowledge and excellent parts： he lived more like a familiar
Citizen； then in the nature of a Courtly Gentleman； albeit he was
choisely respected in either estate。
But； as oftentimes it commeth to passe； that such as are endued with
the best judgement and understanding in naturall occasions； are
soonest caught and intangled in the snares of Love： so fel it out with
our Scholler Reniero； who being invited to a solemne Feast； in company
of other his especiall Friends； this Lady Helena； attyred in her
blacke Garments （as Widowes commonly use to wear） was likewise there a
Guest。 His eye observing her beauty and gracious demeanour； she seemed
in his judgement； to be a Woman so compleate and perfect； as he had
never seene her equall before： and therefore； he accounted the man
more then fortunate； that was worthy to embrace her in his armes。
Continuing this amorous observation of her from time to time； and
knowing withall； that rare and excellent things are not easily
obtained； but by painefull study； labour； and endeavour： hee
resolved with himselfe constantly； to put in practise all his best
parts of industry； onely to honour and please her； and attaining to
her contentation； it would be the means to winne her love； and
compasse thereby his hearts desire。
The yong Lady； who fixed not her eyes on inferiour subjects （but
esteemed her selfe above ordinary reach or capacity） could moove
them artificially； as curious women well know how to doe； looking on
every side about her； yet not in a gadding or grosse manner： for
she was not ignorant in such darting glaunces； as proceeded from an
enflamed affection； which appearing plainely in Reniero； with a pretty
smile； shee said to her selfe。 I am not come hither this day in vaine；
for； if my judgement faile me not； I thinke I have caught a
Woodcocke by the Bill。 And lending him a cunning looke or two；
queintly caried with the corner of her eye； she gave him a kinde of
perswading apprehension； that her heart was the guide to her eye。
And in this artificial Schoole…tricke of hers； shee carryed
therewith another consideration； to wit； that the more other eyes
fedde themselves on her perfections； and were （well…neere） lost in
them beyond recovery： so much the greater reason had he to account his
fortune beyond comparison； that was the sole master of her heart；
and had her love at his command。
Our witty Scholler having set aside his Philosophicall
considerations； strove how he might best understand her carriage
toward him； and beleeving that she beheld him with pleasing regards；
hee learned to know the house where shee dwelt； passing daily by the
doore divers times； under colour of some more serious occasions：
wherein the Lady very proudly gloried； in regard of the reasons before
alleadged； and seemed to affoord him lookes of goode liking。 Being led
thus with a hopefull perswasion； bee found the meanes to gaine
acquaintance with her waiting…woman； revealing to her his intire
affection； desiring her to worke for him in such sort with her Lady；
that his service might be gracious in her acceptance。 The
Gentlewoman made him a very willing promise； and immediately did his
errand to her Lady； who heard her with no small pride and
squemishnesse； and breaking forth into a scornefull laughter； thus she
spake。
Ancilla （for so she was named） dost thou not observe； how this
Scholler is come to lose all the wit heere； which he studyed so long
for in the University of Paris？ Let us make him our onely Table
argument； and seeing his folly soareth so high； we will feed him
with such a dyet as hee deserveth。 Yet when thou speakest next with
him； tell him； that I affect him more then he can doe me； but it
becommeth me to be carefull of mine honour； and to walke with an
untainted brow； as other Ladies and Gentlewomen doe： which he is not
to mislike； if he be so wise as he maketh shew of； but rather will the
more commend me。 Alas good Lady lack…wit； little did she understand
（faire assembly） how dangerous a case it is ＇to＇ deale with Schollers。
At his next meeting with the waiting woman； shee delivered the
message； as her Lady had commanded her； whereof poore Reniero was so
joyfull： that hee pursued his love…suite the more earnestly； and began
to write letters； send gifts； and tokens； all which were still
received； yet without any other answere to give hope； but onely in
generall； and thus shee dallied with him a long while。 In the end； she
discovered this matter to her secret chosen friend； who fell
suddenly sicke of the head…ake； onely through meere conceit of
jealousie： which she perceiving； and grieving to be suspected
without any cause； especially by him whom shee esteemed above all
other； shee intended to rid him quickely of that Idle disease。 And
being more and more solicited by the Scholler； she sent him word by
her maide Ancilla； that （as yet） she could find no convenient
opportunity； to yeeld him such assurance； as hee should not any way be
distrustfull of her love。
But the Feast of Christmas was now neere at hand； which afforded
leisures much more hopefull； then any other formerly passed。 And
therefore； the next night after the first Feasting day； if he
pleased to walke in the open Court of her house： she would soone
send for him； into a place much better beseeming； and where they might
freely converse together。
Now was our Scholler the onely jocond man of the world； and failed
not the time assigned him； but went unto the Ladies house； where
Ancilla was ready to give him entertainment； conducting him into the
base Court； where she lockt him up fast； untill her Lady should send
for him。 This night shee had privately sent for her friend also； and
sitting merrily at supper with him； told him； what welcome she had
given the Scholler； and how she further meant to use him； saying。
Now Sir； consider with your selfe； what hot affection I beare to
him； of whom you became so fondly jealous。 The which words were very
welcome to him； and made him extraordinarily joyful； desiring to see
them as effectually performed； as they appeared to him by her
protestations。
Heere you are to understand （Gracious Ladies） that according to
the season of the yeare； a great snow had falne the day before； so
as the whole Court was covered therewith； and being an extreame
frost upon it； our Scholler could not boast of any warme walking； when
the teeth quivered in his head with cold； as a Dog could not be more
discourteously used： yet hope of enjoying Loves recompence at
length； made him to support all this injury with admirable patience。
Within a while after； Madame Helena said to her friend。 Walke with
me （deare sal heart） into my Chamber； and there at a secret little
window； I shall shew thee what he doth； that drove thee to such a
suspition of me； and we shall heare beside； what answere he will
give my maide Ancilla； whom I will send to comfort him in his
coldnesse。
When she had so said； they went to the appointed chamber window；
where they could easily see him； but he not them： and then they
heard Ancilla also； calling to him forth of another windowe； saying。
Signior Reniero； my Lady is the wofullest woman in the world；
because （as yet） she cannot come to you； in regard that one of her
brethren came this evening to visite her； and held her with much
longer discourse then she expected： whereby she was constrained to
invite him to sup with her； and yet he is not gone； b