Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/181

Rh out and railed at him; but Messer Lizio said to her:

"Wife, as thou boldest my love dear, look thou say not a word, for, verily, since she hath gotten it, it shall be hers. Ricciardo is young and rich and gently born; he cannot make us other than a good son-in-law. An he would part from thee on good terms, needs must he first marry her, so it will be found that he hath put the nightingale in his own cage and not in that of another."

The lady was comforted to see that her hussband was not angered at the matter and considering that her daughter had passed a good night and rested well and had caught the nightingale, to boot, she held her tongue. Nor had they abidden long after these words when Ricciardo awoke and seeing that it was broad day, gave himself over for lost and called Caterina, saying:

"Alack, my soul, how shall we do, for the day is come and hath caught me here?"

Whereupon Messer Lizio came forward and lifting the curtain, answered:

"We shall do well."

When Ricciardo saw him, himseemed the heart was torn out of his body and sitting up in bed, he said:

"My lord, I crave your pardon for God's sake. I acknowledge to have deserved death, as a disloyal and wicked man; wherefore do you with me as best pleaseth you; but, I prithee, an it may be, have mercy on my life and let me not die."

"Ricciardo," answered Messer Lizio, "the love that I bore thee and the faith I had in thee merited not this return; yet, since thus it is and youth hath carried thee away into such a fault, do