in her heart. She saw how honourable were the
reasons which he laid before her; and she told him that virtue and
honour replied for her, and that she granted him his request. Amadour's
joy at this no true lover can doubt.

Florida, however, gave more heed to his counsel than he desired, for she
became timid not only in presence of Paulina but elsewhere, and ceased
to seek him out as she had been accustomed to do. While they were thus
separated she took Amadour's constant converse with Paulina in bad part,
for, seeing that the latter was beautiful, she could not believe
that Amadour did not love her. To beguile her sorrow she conversed
continually with Avanturada, who was beginning to feel very jealous of
her husband and Paulina, and often complained of them to Florida, who
comforted her as well as she could, being herself smitten with the same
disease. Amadour soon perceived the change in Florida's demeanour, and
forthwith thought that she was keeping aloof from him not merely by his
own advice, but also on account of some bitter fancies of her own.

One day, when they were coming from vespers at a monastery, he spoke to
her, and asked--

"What countenance is this you show me, madam?"

"That which I believe you desire," replied Florida.

Thereupon, suspecting the truth, and desiring to know whether he was
right, he said to her--

"I have used my time so well, madam, that Paulina no longer has any
suspicion of you."

"You could not do better," she replied, "both for yourself and for me.
While giving pleasure to yourself you bring me honour."

Amadour gathered from this speech that she believed he took pleasure in
conversing with Paulina, and so great was his despair that he could not
refrain from saying angrily to her--

"In truth, madam, you begin betimes to torment your lover and pelt him
with hard words. I do not think I ever had a more irksome task than to
be obliged to hold converse with a lady I do not love. But since you
take what I have done to serve you in bad part, I will never speak
to her again, happen what may. And that I may hide my wrath as I have
hidden my joy, I will betake me to some place in the neighbourhood, and
there wait till your caprice has passed away. I hope, however, I shall
there receive tidings from my captain and be called back to the war,
where I will remain long enough to show you that nothing but yourself
has kept me here."

So saying, he forthwith departed without waiting fo