Page:Matteo Bandello - twelve stories (IA cu31924102029083).pdf/368

 from death to life, and with shame he confessed to his mother that he loved Lucrezia far more than his own life, beseeching her to let the girl be brought to him forthwith. She urged him to have patience just for that day, and sought to revive him with food and drink, promising to fetch the girl to him on the morrow.

What shall we say? At this simple promise, Galeazzo, who but now was like to die, having lost sleep and appetite through grief, became wholly comforted. He dined; and, when evening came, took supper, while the hope of regaining his Lucrezia gave him a calm restful night.

No sooner had he risen next day than he besought his mother to send for Lucrezia, so, to please her son, she drove in a little cart to the monastery and brought the girl away with her. When the two lovers met, they flung their arms about each other's necks, and in a close embrace shed hot salt tears for very joy. After countless kisses and endearments, Galeazzo, still weeping, asked Lucrezia, "Say, sweetheart, how did you do without me? What sort of life was yours? Did it not grieve you sore never to see me all this while? In truth, I thought I should die,