en
by Saladin, a Provencal gentleman of little account, by name Messer
Torello de Dignes, by reason whereof, Messer Torello d'Istria being
renowned throughout the army for his magnificence, whosoever heard
say, 'Messer Torello is dead,' believed it of Messer Torello d'Istria,
not of him of Dignes. The hazard of the capture that ensued thereupon
suffered not those who had been thus misled to be undeceived;
wherefore many Italians returned with this news, amongst whom were
some who scrupled not to avouch that they had seen him dead and had
been at the burial. This, coming to be known of his wife and kinsfolk,
was the cause of grievous and inexpressible sorrow, not only to them,
but to all who had known him. It were longsome to set forth what and
how great was the grief and sorrow and lamentation of his lady; but,
after having bemoaned herself some months in continual affliction,
coming to sorrow less and being sought in marriage with the chiefest
men in Lombardy, she began to be presently importuned by her brothers
and other her kinsfolk to marry again. After having again and again
refused with many tears, needs must she at the last consent perforce
to do her kinsfolk's will, on condition that she should abide, without
going to a husband, so long as she had promised Messer Torello.

The lady's affairs at Pavia being at this pass and there lacking maybe
eight days of the term appointed for her going to her new husband, it
chanced that Messer Torello espied one day in Alexandria one whom he
had seen embark with the Genoese ambassadors on board the galley that
was to carry them back to Genoa, and calling him, asked him what
manner voyage they had had and when they had reached Genoa; whereto
the other replied, 'Sir, the galleon (as I heard in Crete, where I
remained,) made an ill voyage; for that, as she drew near unto Sicily,
there arose a furious northerly wind, which drove her on to the
Barbary quicksands, nor was any one saved; and amongst the rest two
brothers of mine perished there.' Messer Torello, giving credit to his
words, which were indeed but too true, and remembering him that the
term required by him of his wife ended a few days thence, concluded
that nothing could be known at Pavia of his condition and held it for
certain that the lady must have married again; wherefore he fell into
such a chagrin that he lost [sleep and] appetite and taking to his
bed, determined to die. When Saladin, who loved him above all, h