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contentment。 And questionlesse； if I speed no worse then my good
hope perswadeth me； I will see you againe to night； and acquaint you
at better leysure； in such things as I cannot do now at this present。
So putting on his Pilgrimes habit againe； kissing her once more； and
comforting her with future good successe； he departed from her；
going to the prison where Aldobrandino lay； whom hee found more
pensive； as being in hourely expectation of death； then any hope he
had to be freed from it。 Being brought neerer to him by the
prisoners favour； as seeming to be a man come onely to comfort him：
sitting downe by him； thus he began。 Aldobrandino； I am a friend of
thine； whom Heaven hath sent to doe thee good； in meere pittie and
compassion of thine innocency。 And therefore； if thou wilt grant me
one small request； which I am earnestly to crave at thy hands； thou
shalt heare （without any failing） before to morrow at night； the
sentence of thy free absolution； whereas now thou expectest nothing
but death； whereunto Aldobrandino thus answered。 Friendly man；
seeing thou art so carefull of my safety （although I know thee not；
neither doe remember that ere I saw thee till now） thou must needs
be some especiall kinde friend of mine。 And to tell thee the truth；
I never committed the sinful deed for which I am condemned to death。
True it is； I have other heinous and greevous sins； which
（undoubtedly） have throwne。 this heavy judgement on me； and
therefore I am the more willing to undergo it。 Neverthelesse； let me
thus I us farre assure thee； that I would gladly not onely promise
something which might be to the glory of God； if he were pleased in
this case to have mercy on me； but also would as willingly performe
and accomplish it。 Wherefore； demaund whatsoever thou pleasest； for
unfained （if I escape with life） I will truly keepe promise with thee。
Sir； replyed the Pilgrime； I desire nor demand any thing of you； but
that you would pardon the foure Brethren of Theobaldo； that brought
you to this hard extremity； as thinking you to be guilty of their
brothers death； and that you would also accept them as your brethren
and friends upon their craving pardon for what they have done。
Sir； answered Aldobrandino； no man knoweth how sweet revenge is； nor
with what heate it is to be desired； but onely the man who hath bene
wronged。 Notwithstanding； not to hinder hope； which onely aymeth at
Heaven； I freely forgive them； and henceforth pardon them for ever；
intending more。 over； that if mercy give me life； and cleere me from
this bloody imputation； to love and respect them so long as I shall
live。 This answere was most pleasing to the Pilgrime； and without
any further multiplication of speeches； he entreated him to be of good
comfort； for he feared not but before the time prefixed； he should
heare certaine tydings of his deliverance。
At his departing from him； hee went directly to the Signoria； and
prevailed so far that he spake privately with a Knight； who was then
one of the States chiefest Lords； to whom he saide。 Sir； a man ought
to bestow his best paines and diligence； that the truth of things
should be apparantly knowne； especially； such men as hold the place
and office as you doe： to the end； that those persons which have
committed no foule offence； should not bee punished； but onely the
guilty and haynous transgressors。 And because it will be no meane
honor to you； to lay the blame where it worthily deserveth； I am
come hither purposely； to informe you in a case of most weighty
importance。 It is not unknowne to you； with what rigour the State hath
proceeded against Aldobrandino Palermini； and you think verily he is
the man that hath slaine Theobaldo Elisei； whereupon your Law hath
condemned him to die。 I dare assure you Sir； that a very unjust course
hath beene taken in this case； because Aldobrandino is falsly
accused as you your selfe will confesse before midnight； when they are
delivered into your power； that were the murderers of the man。
The honest Knight； who was very sorrowfull for Aldobrandino；
gladly gave attention to the Pilgrime； and having conferred on many
matters； appertaining to the fact committed： the two Brethren who were
Theobaldoes Hostes； and their Chambermaid； upon good advice given；
were apprehended in their first sleep； without any resistance made
in their defence。 But when the tortures were sent for； to understand
truly how the case went； they would not endure any paine at all； but
each aside by himselfe； and then altogether confessed openly； that
they did the deede； yet not knowing him to be Theobaldo Elisei。 And
when it was demanded of them； upon what occasion they did so foule
an act； they answered； that they were so hatefull against the mans
life； because he would luxuriouslie have abused one of their wives；
when they both were absent from their owne home。
When the Pilgrim had heard their voluntary confession； he tooke
his leave of his Knight； returning secretly to the house of Madam
Hermelina； and there （because all her people were in their beds） she
carefully awaited his returne； to beare some glad tydings of her
father； and to make a further reconciliation betweene her and
Theobaldo； when sitting downe by her； he said： Deare Love； be of
good cheere； for （upon my word） to morrow you shall have your father
home safe； well； and delivered from all further danger： and to
confirme her the more confidently in his words； he declared at large
the whole carriage of the businesse。 Hermelina being wondrously
joyfull； for two such succesefull accidents to injoy her husband alive
and in health； and also to have her father freed from so great a
danger； kissed and embraced him most affectionately； welcomming him
lovingly into her bed； whereto so long time hee had beene a stranger。
No sooner did bright day appeare； but Theobaldo arose； having
acquainted her with such matters as were to be done； and once more
earnestly desiring her； to conceale （as yet） these occurrences to
her selfe。 So in his Pilgrims habit； he departed from her house； to
awaite convenient： opportunity； for attending on the businesse
belonging to Aldobrandino。 At the usuall houre appointed； the Lords
were all set in the Signioria； and had received full information；
concerning the offence imputed to Aldobrandino； setting him at liberty
by publique consent； and sentencing the other malefactors with
death； who （within a few dayes after） were beheaded in place the
murther was committed。 Thus Aldobrandino being released； to his
exceeding comfort； and no small joy of his daughter； kindred； and
friends； all knowing perfectly； that this had happened by the Pilgrims
meanes； they conducted him home to Aldobrandinoes house； where they
desired him to continue so long as himselfe pleased； using him with
most honourable and gracious respect； bilt especially Hermelina； who
knew （better then the rest） on whom she bestowed her liberall favours；
yet concealing all closely to her selfe。 After two or three dayes were
over…past； in these complementall entercoursings of kindnesse；
Theobaldo began to consider； that it was high time for reconciliation；
to be solemnely past betweene his brethren and Aldobrandino。 For； they
were not a little amazed at his strange deliverance； and went likewise
continually armed； as standing in feare of Aldobrandino and his
friends； which made him the more earnest； for accomplishment of the
promise formerly made unto him。 Aldobrandino lovingly replied； that he
was ready to make good his word。 Whereupon； the Pilgrime provided a
goodly Banquet； whereat he pursued to have present Aldobrandino； his
Daughter； Kindred； and their wives。 But first； himselfe went in
person； to invite them in peace to his banquet； using many pregnant
and forcible reasons to them； such as are requisite in the like
discordant cases。 In the end； they were so wise and prevailing with
them that they willingly condiscended； and thought it no disparagement
unto them； for the recovery of Aldobrandinoes kindnesse againe； to
crave pardon for their great error committed。 On the morrow following；
about dinner time； the foure brethren of Theobaldo； attired in their
mourni