Nevertheless, he first swore to her
that if ever she revealed it to a living being she should die by his
own hand; and she agreed to and accepted this punishment. Then the poor,
deceived husband told her all that he had seen from beginning to end,
and she made show of being well pleased. In her heart she was minded
very differently, but through fear of the Duke she concealed her passion
as well as she was able.
Now on a certain great feast-day the Duke held his Court, to which he
had bidden all the ladies of that country, and among the rest his
niece. When the dances began, all did their duty save the Duchess, who,
tormented by the sight of her niece's beauty and grace, could neither
make merry nor prevent her spleen from being perceived. At last she
called all the ladies, and making them scat themselves around her, began
to talk of love; and seeing that the Lady du Vergier said nothing, she
asked her, with a heart which jealousy was rending--
"And you, fair niece, is it possible that your beauty has found no lover
or true knight?"
"Madam," replied the Lady du Vergier, "my beauty has not yet made such
a conquest. Since my husband's death I have sought to love none but his
children, with whom I deem myself happy.
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