d herself to Jerusalem, that he might thereby partly
atone for his grievous sins which he had now put from him; save that he
had not yet made reparation to his wife, with whom, however, he hoped
that he might soon be reconciled.

The lady was well pleased with this discourse, and especially rejoiced
at having drawn such a man to the love and fear of God. And thus, until
the Captain departed from the Court, their long conversations together
were continued every evening without his ever venturing to declare
himself. However, he made the lady a present of a crucifix of Our Lady
of Pity, (4) beseeching her to think of him whenever she looked upon it.

4 "Our Lady of Pity" is the designation usually applied to
the Virgin when she is shown seated with the corpse of
Christ on her knees. Michael Angelo's famous group at St.
Peter's is commonly known by this name. In the present
instance, however, Queen Margaret undoubtedly refers to a
crucifix showing the Virgin at the foot of the Cross,
contemplating her son's sufferings. Such crucifixes were
formerly not uncommon.--M.

The hour of his departure arrived, and when he had taken leave of the
husband, who was falling asleep, and came to bid his lady farewell, he
beheld tears standing in her eyes by reason of the honourable affection
which she entertained for him. The sight of these rendered his passion
for her so unendurable that, not daring to say anything concerning it,
he almost fainted, and broke out into an exceeding sweat, so that he
seemed to weep not only with his eyes, but with his entire body.
And thus he departed without speaking, leaving the lady in great
astonishment, for she had never before seen such tokens of regret.
Nevertheless she did not change in her good opinion of him, and followed
him with her prayers.

After a month had gone by, however, as the lady was returning to her
house, she met a gentleman who handed her a letter from the Captain, and
begged her to read it in private.

He told her how he had seen the Captain embark, fully resolved to
accomplish whatever might be pleasing to the King and of advantage to
Christianity. For his own part, the gentleman added, he was straightway
going back to Marseilles to set the Captain's affairs in order.

The lady withdrew to a window by herself, and opening the letter,
found it to consist of two sheets of paper, covered on either side with
writing which formed the foll