e, resolved to keep her for himself. Accordingly,
seeing her weeping sore, he studied to comfort her with soft words
till nightfall, when, his calendar having dropped from his girdle and
saints' days and holidays gone clean out of his head, he fell to
comforting her with deeds, himseeming that words had availed little by
day; and after such a fashion did he console her that, ere they came
to Monaco, the judge and his ordinances had altogether escaped her
mind and she began to lead the merriest of lives with Paganino. The
latter carried her to Monaco and there, over and above the
consolations with which he plied her night and day, he entreated her
honourably as his wife. After awhile it came to Messer Ricciardo's
ears where his wife was and he, being possessed with the most ardent
desire to have her again and bethinking himself that none other might
thoroughly suffice to do what was needful to that end, resolved to go
thither himself, determined to spend any quantity of money for her
ransom. Accordingly he set out by sea and coming to Monaco, there both
saw and was seen of the lady, who told it to Paganino that same
evening and acquainted him with her intent. Next morning Messer
Ricciardo, seeing Paganino, accosted him and quickly clapped up a
great familiarity and friendship with him, whilst the other feigned
not to know him and waited to see at what he aimed. Accordingly,
whenas it seemed to him time, Messer Ricciardo discovered to him, as
best and most civilly he knew, the occasion of his coming and prayed
him take what he pleased and restore him the lady. To which Paganino
made answer with a cheerful countenance, 'Sir, you are welcome, and to
answer you briefly, I say thus; it is true I have a young lady in my
house, if she be your wife or another's I know not, for that I know
you not nor indeed her, save in so much as she hath abidden awhile
with me. If you be, as you say, her husband, I will, since you seem to
me a civil gentleman, carry you to her and I am assured that she will
know you right well. If she say it is as you avouch and be willing to
go with you, you shall, for the sake of your civility, give me what
you yourself will to her ransom; but, an it be not so, you would do
ill to seek to take her from me, for that I am a young man and can
entertain a woman as well as another, and especially such an one as
she, who is the most pleasing I ever saw.' Quoth Messer Ricciardo,
'For certain she is my wife, an thou