At the same time, there lived in _Pistoya_ likewise, a young man, named _Ricciardo_, derived of meane birth, but very wealthy, quicke witted, and of commendable person, alwayes going so neate, fine, and formall in his apparrell, that he was generally tearmed the _Magnifico_, who had long time affected, yea, and closely courted, (though without any advantage or successe) the Lady and Wife of _Signior Francesco_, who was very beautifull, vertuous, and chaste. It so chanced, that this _Magnifico_ had the very choysest and goodliest ambling Gelding in all _Tuscanie_, which he loved dearely, for his faire forme, and other good parts. Upon a flying rumor throughout _Pistoria_, that he daily made love to the fore-said Lady: some busie body, put it into the head of _Signior Francesco_, that if he pleased to request the Gelding, the _Magnifico_ would frankly give it him, in regard of the love he bare to his Wife. The base minded Knight, coveting to have the Horse, and yet not to part with any money, sent for the _Magnifico_, desiring to buy his faire Gelding of him, because he hoped to have him of free gift. The _Magnifico_ hearing his request, was not a little joyfull hereof, and thus answered; Sir, if you would give me all the wealth which you possesse in this World, I will not sell you my Horse, rather I will bestow him on you as a Gentlemanly gift; but yet upon this condition, that before you have him delivered, I may with your lisence, and in your presence speake a few words to your vertuous Ladie, and so farre off in distance from you, as I may not be heard by any, but onely her selfe. _Signior Francesco_, wholly conducted by his base avaricious desire, and meaning to make a scorne at the _Magnifico_, made answere; that he was well contented, to let him speake with her when he would, and leaving him in the great Hall of the house, he went to his Wives Chamber, and told her, how easily he might enjoy the Horse; commanding her forth-with, to come and heare what he could say to her, onely shee should abstaine, and not returne him any answer. The Lady with a modest blush, much condemned this folly in him, that his covetousnesse should serve as a cloake, to cover any unfitting speeches, which her chaste eares could never endure to heare: neverthelesse, being to obey her Husbands will, shee promised to doe it, and followed him downe into the House, to heare what the _Magnifico_ would say. Againe, he there confirmed the bargaine made with her Husband, and sitting downe by her in a corner of the Hall, farre enough off from any ones hearing, taking her curteously by the hand, thus he spake.