Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/62

50 of great beauty, indeed infinitely brighter than the sun, knew not into whose custody he might fearlessly consign her. At last, he put her under the charge of his secretary, for whom he had the greatest regard. He commanded him to take every precaution, and especially to guard against her drinking of a singular fountain which sprang up in that country. For it had the property, although of a most exquisite flavour, of infecting with leprosy whosoever tasted it. The secretary, therefore, in order to restore her to her father as beautiful as when he departed, reflected much upon his precarious employment; remembering, at the same time, that if she were at all injured he should lose his office, and be unable to meet his master. For a while he watched his charge with extreme vigilance; but the lady having discovered the fountain, went so cunningly to work, that she drank of it, and was consequently infected with a loathsome disease. The secretary perceiving this, was filled with the most poignant grief, and carried her away to a desert region. There he found a hermit; and beating with his hands