Finding that it was the Lady du Vergier,
who believed herself to be alone, she durst say nothing to her, but
listened, making as little noise as she was able. And in a stifled voice
the poor Lady du Vergier began to lament, saying--
"O unhappy one, what words have I heard? to what decree of death have I
hearkened? what final sentence have I received? O best beloved of men,
is this the reward of my chaste, honourable and virtuous love? O my
heart, hast thou made so parlous an election, and chosen for the
most loyal the most faithless, for the truest the most false, for the
discreetest the most slanderous? Alas! can it be that a thing hidden
from every human eye has been revealed to the Duchess? Alas, my little
dog, so well taught and the sole instrument of my love and virtuous
affection, it was not you who betrayed me, it was he whose voice is
louder than a dog's bark, and whose heart is more thankless than any
brute's. Tis he who, contrary to his oath and promise, has made known
the happy life which, wronging none, we so long have led together. O my
beloved, the love of whom alone has entered into my heart, and preserved
my life, must you now be declared my deadly foe, while mine honour is
given to the winds, my body to the dust, and my soul to its everlasting
abode? Is the beauty of the Duchess so exceeding great that, like the
beauty of Circe, it has bewitched and transformed you? Has she turned
you from virtue to vice, from goodness to wickedness, from being a man
to be a beast of prey? O my beloved, though you have failed in your
promise to me, yet will I keep mine to you, and, now that our love has
been revealed, will never see you more.
Pages:
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202