ereto, openly both see and touch it, I caused my wife make this
answer to her who awaited it, that she was ready to be at the bagnio
in question to-morrow at none, whenas the folk sleep; with which the
woman took leave of her, very well pleased. Now methinketh not you
believe that I will send my wife thither; but, were I in your place, I
would contrive that he should find me there in the room of her he
thinketh to meet, and whenas I had abidden with him awhile, I would
give him to know with whom he had been and render him such honour
thereof as should beseem him; by which means methinketh you would do
him such a shame that the affront he would fain put upon yourself and
upon me would at one blow be avenged.'

Catella, hearing this, without anywise considering who it was that
said it to her or suspecting his design, forthright, after the wont of
jealous folk, gave credence to his words and fell a-fitting to his
story certain things that had already befallen; then, fired with
sudden anger, she answered that she would certainly do as he
counselled,--it was no such great matter,--and that assuredly, if
Filippello came thither, she would do him such a shame that it should
still recur to his mind, as often as he saw a woman. Ricciardo, well
pleased at this and himseeming his device was a good one and in a fair
way of success, confirmed her in her purpose with many other words and
strengthened her belief in his story, praying her, natheless, never to
say that she had heard it from him, the which she promised him on her
troth.

Next morning, Ricciardo betook himself to a good woman, who kept the
bagnio he had named to Catella, and telling her what he purposed to
do, prayed her to further him therein as most she might. The good
woman, who was much beholden to him, answered that she would well and
agreed with him what she should do and say. Now in the house where the
bagnio was she had a very dark chamber, for that no window gave
thereon by which the light might enter. This chamber she made ready
and spread a bed there, as best she might, wherein Ricciardo, as soon
as he had dined, laid himself and proceeded to await Catella. The
latter, having heard Ricciardo's words and giving more credence
thereto than behoved her, returned in the evening, full of despite, to
her house, whither Filippello also returned and being by chance full
of other thought, maybe did not show her his usual fondness. When she
saw this, her suspicions rose