one who already has a foot in the grave, and of whose death you are
yourself the cause?"

"How is it possible," said the lady, "that the death of one whom we
like so well can be brought about by our fault? Tell me, I pray, why you
speak in this manner?"

"Madam," he replied, "I concealed my love for your daughter as long as I
was able; and my kinsfolk, in speaking of a marriage between myself
and her, made known more than I desired, since I have thereby had the
misfortune to lose all hope; not, indeed, in regard to my own pleasure,
but because I know that she will never have such fair treatment and so
much love from any other as she would have had from me. Her loss of
the best and most loving friend she has in the world causes me more
affliction than the loss of my own life, which I desired to preserve for
her sake only. But since it cannot in any wise be of service to her, the
loss of it is to me great gain."

Hearing these words, the lady and her daughter sought to comfort him.

"Take courage, my friend," said the mother. "I pledge you my word that,
if God gives you back your health, my daughter shall have no other
husband but you. See, she is here present, and I charge her to promise
you the same."

The daughter, weeping, strove to assure him of what her mother promised.
He well knew, however, that even if his health were restored he would
still lose his sweetheart, and that these fair words were only uttered
in order somewhat to revive him. Accordingly, he told them that had they
spoken to him thus three months before, he would have been the lustiest