yet higher and she said in herself,
'Forsooth, his mind is occupied with yonder lady with whom he thinketh
to take his pleasure to-morrow; but of a surety this shall not come to
pass.' An in this thought she abode well nigh all that night,
considering how she should bespeak him, whenas she should be with him
[in the bagnio].

What more [need I say?] The hour of none come, she took her
waiting-woman and without anywise changing counsel, repaired to the
bagnio that Ricciardo had named to her, and there finding the good
woman, asked her if Filippello had been there that day, whereupon
quoth the other, who had been duly lessoned by Ricciardo, 'Are you the
lady that should come to speak with him?' 'Ay am I,' answered Catella.
'Then,' said the woman, 'get you in to him.' Catella, who went seeking
that which she would fain not have found, caused herself to be brought
to the chamber where Ricciardo was and entering with covered head,
locked herself in. Ricciardo, seeing her enter, rose joyfully to his
feet and catching her in his arms, said softly, 'Welcome, my soul!'
Whilst she, the better to feign herself other than she was, clipped
him and kissed him and made much of him, without saying a word,
fearing to be known of him if she should speak. The chamber was very
dark, wherewith each of them was well pleased, nor for long abiding
there did the eyes recover more power. Ricciardo carried her to the
bed and there, without speaking, lest their voices should betray them,
they abode a long while, to the greater delight and pleasance of the
one party than the other.

But presently, it seeming to Catella time to vent the resentment she
felt, she began, all afire with rage and despite, to speak thus,
'Alas, how wretched is women's lot and how ill bestowed the love that
many of them bear their husbands! I, unhappy that I am, these eight
years have I loved thee more than my life, and thou, as I have felt,
art all afire and all consumed with love of a strange woman, wicked
and perverse man that thou art! Now with whom thinkest thou to have
been? Thou hast been with her whom thou hast too long beguiled with
thy false blandishments, making a show of love to her and being
enamoured elsewhere. I am Catella, not Ricciardo's wife, disloyal
traitor that thou art! Hearken if thou know my voice; it is indeed I;
and it seemeth to me a thousand years till we be in the light, so I
may shame thee as thou deservest, scurvy discredited cur that thou