n her dishonour, and called out to a gentleman whom
she knew to be in the room; whereupon Amadour in extreme despair flung
himself back upon his bed so suddenly that the gentleman thought him
dead.

Florida, who had risen from her chair, then said to the gentleman--

"Go quickly for some strong vinegar."

This the gentleman did, whereupon Florida said--

"What madness, Amadour, has mounted to your brain? What was it you
thought and wished to do?"

Amadour, who had lost all reason in the vehemence of his love, replied--

"Does so long a service merit so cruel a reward?"

"And what of the honour of which you have so often preached to me?" said
Florida.

"Ah! madam," said Amadour, "it would be impossible to hold your honour
more dear than I have held it. Before you were married, I was able so
to subdue my heart that you knew nothing of my desires, but now that you
are wedded and your honour may be shielded, do I wrong you in asking for
what is mine? By the strength of my love I have won you. He who first
possessed your heart had so little desire for your person that he
deserved to lose both. He who now owns your person is not worthy to have
your heart, and hence even your person does not properly belong to him.
But for five or six years I have for your sake borne many pains and
woes, which must show you that your body and heart belong to me alone.
Think not to defend yourself by speaking of conscience, for when love
constrains body and heart sin is never imputed. Those who are driven by
frenzy so far as to slay themselves cannot sin, for passion leaves no
room for reason; and if the passion of love be more intolerable than any
other, and more blinding to the senses, what sin could you fasten upon
one who yields to the conduct of such indomitable power? I am going
away, and have no hope of ever seeing you again; but if before my
departure I could have of you that assurance which the greatness of
my love deserves, I should be strengthened sufficiently to endure in
patience the sorrows of a long separation. If you will not grant me my
request you will ere long learn that your harshness has brought me to a
miserable and a cruel death." (18)

18 The passage commencing "Those who are driven" and ending
"a cruel death" is deficient in the earlier editions of the
_Heptameron_, which give the following in place of it: "Do
not doubt but what those who have felt the power of love
will cast the bla