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spake。
Ancilla （for so she was named） dost thou not observe； how this
Scholler is come to lose all the wit heere； which he studyed so long
for in the University of Paris？ Let us make him our onely Table
argument； and seeing his folly soareth so high； we will feed him
with such a dyet as hee deserveth。 Yet when thou speakest next with
him； tell him； that I affect him more then he can doe me； but it
becommeth me to be carefull of mine honour； and to walke with an
untainted brow； as other Ladies and Gentlewomen doe： which he is not
to mislike； if he be so wise as he maketh shew of； but rather will the
more commend me。 Alas good Lady lack…wit； little did she understand
（faire assembly） how dangerous a case it is ＇to＇ deale with Schollers。
At his next meeting with the waiting woman； shee delivered the
message； as her Lady had commanded her； whereof poore Reniero was so
joyfull： that hee pursued his love…suite the more earnestly； and began
to write letters； send gifts； and tokens； all which were still
received； yet without any other answere to give hope； but onely in
generall； and thus shee dallied with him a long while。 In the end； she
discovered this matter to her secret chosen friend； who fell
suddenly sicke of the head…ake； onely through meere conceit of
jealousie： which she perceiving； and grieving to be suspected
without any cause； especially by him whom shee esteemed above all
other； shee intended to rid him quickely of that Idle disease。 And
being more and more solicited by the Scholler； she sent him word by
her maide Ancilla； that （as yet） she could find no convenient
opportunity； to yeeld him such assurance； as hee should not any way be
distrustfull of her love。
But the Feast of Christmas was now neere at hand； which afforded
leisures much more hopefull； then any other formerly passed。 And
therefore； the next night after the first Feasting day； if he
pleased to walke in the open Court of her house： she would soone
send for him； into a place much better beseeming； and where they might
freely converse together。
Now was our Scholler the onely jocond man of the world； and failed
not the time assigned him； but went unto the Ladies house； where
Ancilla was ready to give him entertainment； conducting him into the
base Court； where she lockt him up fast； untill her Lady should send
for him。 This night shee had privately sent for her friend also； and
sitting merrily at supper with him； told him； what welcome she had
given the Scholler； and how she further meant to use him； saying。
Now Sir； consider with your selfe； what hot affection I beare to
him； of whom you became so fondly jealous。 The which words were very
welcome to him； and made him extraordinarily joyful； desiring to see
them as effectually performed； as they appeared to him by her
protestations。
Heere you are to understand （Gracious Ladies） that according to
the season of the yeare； a great snow had falne the day before； so
as the whole Court was covered therewith； and being an extreame
frost upon it； our Scholler could not boast of any warme walking； when
the teeth quivered in his head with cold； as a Dog could not be more
discourteously used： yet hope of enjoying Loves recompence at
length； made him to support all this injury with admirable patience。
Within a while after； Madame Helena said to her friend。 Walke with
me （deare sal heart） into my Chamber； and there at a secret little
window； I shall shew thee what he doth； that drove thee to such a
suspition of me； and we shall heare beside； what answere he will
give my maide Ancilla； whom I will send to comfort him in his
coldnesse。
When she had so said； they went to the appointed chamber window；
where they could easily see him； but he not them： and then they
heard Ancilla also； calling to him forth of another windowe； saying。
Signior Reniero； my Lady is the wofullest woman in the world；
because （as yet） she cannot come to you； in regard that one of her
brethren came this evening to visite her； and held her with much
longer discourse then she expected： whereby she was constrained to
invite him to sup with her； and yet he is not gone； but shortly I hope
hee will； and then expect her comming presently； till when； she
entreateth your gentle sufferance。
Poore Renicro； our over…credulous Scholler； whose vehement affection
to Madame Helena； so hood…winkt the sight of his understanding； as
he could not be distrustfull of any guilt； returned this answere to
Ancilla。 Say to your Lady that I am bound in duty； to attend the
good houre of her leisure； without so much as the very least
prejudicate conceite in me： Neverthelesse； entreat her； to let it
bee so soone as she possibly may； because here is miserable walking；
and it beginneth againe to snow extreamely。 Ancilla making fast the
Casement； went presently to bed； when Helena spake thus to her amorous
friend。 What saist thou now？ Doest thou thinke that I loved him； as
thou wast afraid of？ If I did； he should never walke thus in the frost
and snow。 So； away went they likewise from their close gazing
window； and spent wanton dalliances together； laughing； and deriding
（with many bitter taunts and jests） the lamentable condition of
poore Reniero。
About the Court walked hee numberlesse times； finding such exercises
as he could best devise； to compasse warmth in any manner： no seate or
shelter had he any where； either to ease himselfe by sitting downe a
while； or keepe him from the snow； falling continually on him； which
made him bestow many curses on the Ladies Brother； for his so long
tarrying with her； as beleeving him verily to be in the house； or else
she would （long before） have admitted his entrance； but therein his
hope was meerely deceived。 It grew now to be about the houre of
midnight； and Helena had delighted her selfe with her friend
extraordinarily； til at last； thus she spake to him。 What is thine
opinion of my amourous Scholler？ Which dost thou imagine to be the
greatest； either his sense and judgement； or the affection I beare
to him？ Is not this cold sufferance of his； able to quench the violent
heat of his loves extremitie； and having so much snow broth to helpe
it？ Beleeve me （sweet Lady） quoth her friend； as hee is a man； and a
learned Scholler； I pitty that he should bee thus ungently dealt
withall： but as he is my rivall and loves enemy； I cannot allow him
the least compassion； resting the more confidently assured of your
love to me； which I will alwayes esteeme most precious。
When they had spent a long while in this or the like conference；
with infinite sweet kisses and embraces intermixed； then she began
againe in this manner。 Deare love （quoth she） cast thy Cloake about
thee； as I intend to doe with my night mantle； and let us step to
the little window once more； to see whether the flaming fire； which
burned in the Schollers brest （as daily avouched to me in his love
letters） be as yet extinct or no。 So going to the window againe； and
looking downe into the Court； there they saw the Scholler dancing in
the snow； to the cold tune of his teeths quivering and chattering； and
clapping his armes about his body； which was no pleasing melody t