ou loved best, and, being acquainted with
the love you bear to the son of the Infante of Fortune, I have striven
to serve him and consort with him, as you yourself know. I have sought
with all my power for everything that I thought could give you pleasure.
You see that I have won the esteem of your mother, the Countess, and
of your brother, the Count, and of all you love, so that I am regarded
here, not as a dependant, but as one of the family. All my efforts for
five years past have had no other end than that I might spend my whole
life near you.

"Understand that I am not one of those who would by these means seek to
obtain from you any favour or pleasure otherwise than virtuous. I know
that I cannot marry you, and even if I could, I would not do so in face
of the love you bear him whom I would fain see your husband. And as for
loving you with a vicious love like those who hope that long service
will bring them a reward to the dishonour of a lady, that is far from my
purpose. I would rather see you dead than know that you were less worthy
of being loved, or that your virtue had diminished for the sake of
any pleasure to me. For the end and reward of my service I ask but one
thing, namely, that you will be so faithful a mistress to me, as never
to take your favour from me, and that you will suffer me to continue as
I now am, trusting in me more than in any other, and accepting from me
the assurance that if for your honour's sake, or for aught concerning
you, you ever have need of a gentleman's life, I will gladly place mine
at your disposal. You may be sure also that whatever I may do that is
honourable and virtuous, will be done solely for love of you. If for the
sake of ladies less worthy than you I have ever done anything that has
been considered of account, be sure that, for a mistress like yourself,
my enterprise will so increase, that things I heretofore found
impossible will become very easy to me. If, however, you will not accept
me as wholly yours, I am resolved to lay aside my arms and to renounce
the valour which has failed to help me in my need. So I pray you grant
me my just request, for your honour and conscience cannot refuse it."

The maiden, hearing these unwonted words, began to change colour and to
cast down her eyes like a woman in alarm. However, being sensible and
discreet, she replied--

"Since you already have what you ask of me, Amadour, why make me such
a long harangue? I fear me lest beneat