The lady, who set honour before delight, would not keep him from
fulfilling his duty; for what she prized most in their honourable
affection was that it was kept secret from all.
So the gentleman departed an hour after midnight, and his lady in cloak
and kerchief went with him, yet not so far as she wished, for, fearing
lest she should meet the Duke, he obliged her to return. Then he
mounted with the Duke and returned to the castle of Argilly, his master
unceasingly swearing to him on the way that he would die rather than
ever reveal his secret. Moreover, he then put so much trust in the
gentleman, and had so much love for him, that no one in his Court stood
higher in his favour. The Duchess grew furious at this, but the Duke
forbade her ever to speak to him about the gentleman again, saying that
he now knew the truth about him and was well pleased, since the lady
in question was more worthy of love than herself. These words deeply
pierced the heart of the Duchess, and she fell into a sickness that was
worse than fever.
The Duke went to see her in order to comfort her, but there was no
means of doing this except by telling her the name of this beautiful and
dearly loved lady.
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