It now pleased the Signora that the company should fall to dancing, and almost before she had signified this wish to Signor Antonio Bembo, that gallant gentleman took by the hand Fiordiana, with whom he was somewhat enamoured, and the others of the company followed this example straightway, and kept up the measure merrily. Loath to forego such pleasure, they gave over reluctantly, and bandying many soft speeches, the young men and the damsels withdrew to another apartment, in which were laid out tables with sweetmeats and rare wines, and there they spent a pleasant time in jesting one with another. When their merriment was over, they took leave of the Signora, who gracefully dismissed them all. As soon as the company had come together the next evening in the beautiful palace of the Signora, she signed to the fair Lauretta to begin her singing, and Lauretta without waiting for farther command stood up, and, after respectfully saluting the Signora, went up on a raised platform, upon which was placed a beautiful chair covered with draperies of rich silk. Then having called her four chosen companions, they sang in tender angelic cadence the following song in praise of the Signora: SONG. Lady, by your kindly hand, Which ever waits on love’s behest; By your voice of sweet command, That bids us in your presence rest; You hold in fee your servants’ love, And rank with spirits blest above. You quit the city’s din and heat, And let us in your smile rejoice; You call us willing to your feet, To listen to our lady’s voice; Then let us loudly celebrate Your dignity and queenly state. And though upon our charmed sight Earth’s fairest visions soft may fall; Your grace, your wit, your beauty bright, Will blur them and outshine them all. To laud another should we seek, Our tongues your praise alone would speak. When the five damsels gave over singing, in token that their song had come to an end, the instruments began to sound, and the graceful Lauretta, upon whom the lot had fallen to tell the first story of the evening, gave the following fable without waiting for further sign from the Signora. [Illustration: [Fleuron]] =Night the First.= [Illustration: [Fleuron]] [Illustration: [Fleuron]] =Night the First.= THE FIRST FABLE. =Salardo, son of Rainaldo Scaglia, quits Genoa and goes to Montferrat, where he disobeys certain injunctions laid upon him by his father’s testament, and is condemned to death therefor; but, being delivered, he returns to his own country.=