_Zaida._ When we could speak together at all, he spoke perpetually of those whom the calamity of war had separated from him. _Countess._ It appears that you could comfort him in his distress, and did it willingly. _Zaida._ It is delightful to kiss the eye-lashes of the beloved: is it not? but never so delightful as when fresh tears are on them. _Countess._ And even this too? you did this? _Zaida._ Fifty times. _Countess._ Insupportable! He often then spoke about me? _Zaida._ As sure as ever we met: for he knew I loved him the better when I heard him speak so fondly. _Countess._ [_To herself._] Is this possible? It may be ... of the absent, the unknown, the unfeared, the unsuspected. _Zaida._ We shall now be so happy, all three. _Countess._ How can we all live together? _Zaida._ Now he is here, is there no bond of union? _Countess._ Of union? of union? [_Aside_.] Slavery is a frightful thing! slavery for life, too! And she released him from it. What then? Impossible! impossible! [_To Zaida._] We are rich.... _Zaida._ I am glad to hear it. Nothing anywhere goes on well without riches. _Countess._ We can provide for you amply.... _Zaida._ Our husband.... _Countess._ _Our!... husband!..._ _Zaida._ Yes, yes; I know he is yours too; and you, being the elder and having children, are lady above all. He can tell you how little I want: a bath, a slave, a dish of pilau, one jonquil every morning, as usual; nothing more. But he must swear that he has kissed it first. No, he need not swear it; I may always see him do it, now. _Countess._ [_Aside._] She agonizes me. [_To Zaida._] Will you never be induced to return to your own country? Could not Ludolph persuade you? _Zaida._ He who could once persuade me anything, may now command me everything: when he says I must go, I go. But he knows what awaits me. _Countess._ No, child! he never shall say it. _Zaida._ Thanks, lady! eternal thanks! The breaking of his word would break my heart; and better _that_ break first. Let the command come from you, and not from him. _Countess._ [_Calling aloud._] Ludolph! Ludolph! hither! Kiss the hand I present to you, and never forget it is the hand of a preserver. THE PENTAMERON; OR, INTERVIEWS OF MESSER GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO AND MESSER FRANCESCO PETRARCA WHEN SAID MESSER GIOVANNI LAY INFIRM AT HIS VILLETTA HARD BY CERTALDO; AFTER WHICH THEY SAW NOT EACH OTHER ON OUR SIDE OF PARADISE. FIRST DAY'S INTERVIEW _Boccaccio._ Who is he that entered, and now steps so silently and softly, yet with a foot so heavy it shakes my curtains? Frate Biagio! can it possibly be you? No more physic for me, nor masses neither, at present. Assunta! Assuntina! who is it? _Assunta._ I cannot say, Signor Padrone! he puts his finger in the dimple of his chin, and smiles to make me hold my tongue.