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 beneath your honourable words there be
some hidden guile to deceive my ignorance and youth, and I am sorely
perplexed what to reply. Were I to refuse the honourable love you offer,
I should do contrary to what I have hitherto done, for I have always
trusted you more than any other man in the world. Neither my conscience
nor my honour oppose your request, nor yet the love I bear the son of
the Infante of Fortune, for that is founded on marriage, to which you do
not aspire. I know of nothing that should hinder me from answering you
according to your desire, if it be not a fear arising from the small
need you have for talking to me in this wise; for if what you ask is
already yours, why speak of it so ardently?"

Amadour, who was at no loss for an answer, then said to her--

"Madam, you speak very discreetly, and you honour me so greatly by the
trust which you say you have in me, that if I were not satisfied with
such good fortune I should be quite unworthy of it. But consider, madam,
that he who would build an edifice to last for ever must be careful