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