ootnote 89: _i.e._ the thing is done and cannot be undone; there is
no help for it.]

The abbot, who slept not, nay, whose thoughts were ardently occupied
with his new desires, heard what passed between Alessandro and the
host and noted where the former laid himself to sleep, and well
pleased with this, began to say in himself, 'God hath sent an occasion
unto my desires; an I take it not, it may be long ere the like recur
to me.' Accordingly, being altogether resolved to take the opportunity
and himseeming all was quiet in the inn, he called to Alessandro in a
low voice and bade him come couch with him. Alessandro, after many
excuses, put off his clothes and laid himself beside the abbot, who
put his hand on his breast and fell to touching him no otherwise than
amorous damsels use to do with their lovers; whereat Alessandro
marvelled exceedingly and misdoubted him the abbot was moved by
unnatural love to handle him on that wise; but the latter promptly
divined his suspicions, whether of presumption or through some gesture
of his, and smiled; then, suddenly putting off a shirt that he wore,
he took Alessandro's hand and laying it on his own breast, said,
'Alessandro, put away thy foolish thought and searching here, know
that which I conceal.'

Alessandro accordingly put his hand to the abbot's bosom and found
there two little breasts, round and firm and delicate, no otherwise
than as they were of ivory, whereby perceiving that the supposed
prelate was a woman, without awaiting farther bidding, he straightway
took her in his arms and would have kissed her; but she said to him,
'Ere thou draw nearer to me, hearken to that which I have to say to
thee. As thou mayst see, I am a woman and not a man, and having left
home a maid, I was on my way to the Pope, that he might marry me. Be
it thy good fortune or my mishap, no sooner did I see thee the other
day than love so fired me for thee, that never yet was woman who so
loved man. Wherefore, I am resolved to take thee, before any other, to
husband; but, an thou wilt not have me to wife, begone hence
forthright and return to thy place.'

Alessandro, albeit he knew her not, having regard to her company and
retinue, judged her to be of necessity noble and rich and saw that she
was very fair; wherefore, without overlong thought, he replied that,
if this pleased her, it was mighty agreeable to him. Accordingly,
sitting up with him in bed, she put a ring into his hand and made him