nd two companions only to her chamber
and going up to the bed where the damsel, somedele upraised,[460]
awaited him with impatience, took her by the hand and said to her,
'What meaneth this, my mistress? You are young and should comfort
other women; yet you suffer yourself to be sick. We would beseech you
be pleased, for the love of us, to hearten yourself on such wise that
you may speedily be whole again.' The damsel, feeling herself touched
of his hands whom she loved over all else, albeit she was somewhat
shamefast, felt yet such gladness in her heart as she were in Paradise
and answered him, as best she might, saying, 'My lord, my having
willed to subject my little strength unto very grievous burdens hath
been the cause to me of this mine infirmity, whereof, thanks to your
goodness, you shall soon see me quit.' The king alone understood the
damsel's covert speech and held her momently of more account; nay,
sundry whiles he inwardly cursed fortune, who had made her daughter
unto such a man; then, after he had tarried with her awhile and
comforted her yet more, he took his leave.

[Footnote 460: _Sollevata_, syn. solaced, relieved or (3) agitated,
troubled.]

This humanity of the king was greatly commended and attributed for
great honour to the apothecary and his daughter, which latter abode as
well pleased as ever was woman of her lover, and sustained of better
hope, in a few days recovered and became fairer than ever. When she
was whole again, the king, having taken counsel with the queen of what
return he should make her for so much love, mounting one day to horse
with many of his barons, repaired to the apothecary's house and
entering the garden, let call Master Bernardo and his daughter; then,
the queen presently coming thither with many ladies and having
received Lisa among them, they fell to making wonder-merry. After a
while, the king and queen called Lisa to them and the former said to
her, 'Noble damsel, the much love you have borne us hath gotten you a
great honour from us, wherewith we would have you for the love of us
be content; to wit, that, since you are apt for marriage, we would
have you take him to husband whom we shall bestow on you, purposing,
notwithstanding this, to call ourselves still your knight, without
desiring aught from you of so much love but one sole kiss.' The
damsel, grown all vermeil in the face for shamefastness, making the
king's pleasure hers, replied in a low voice on this wise