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Novels； who （smiling） made answer that shee would； and began thus。
Gracious Ladies； mee thinkes wee have spoken enough already；
concerning our owne Citie； which as it aboundeth copiously in all
commodities； so is it an example also to every convenient purpose。 And
as Madam Eliza hath done； by recounting occasions happening in another
World； so must we now leape a little further off； even so far as
Naples； to see how one of those Saint…like Dames that nicely seemes to
shun loves allurings； was guided by the good spirit to a friend of
hers； and tasted of the fruite； before she knew the flowers。 A
sufficient warning for you to apprehend before hand what may follow
after； and to let you see beside； that when an error is committed； how
to bee discreete in keeping it from publike knowledge。
In the Citie of Naples； it being of great antiquity； and （perhaps）
as pleasantly situated； as any other City in all Italy； there dwelt
sometime a yong Gentleman； of noble parentage； and well knowne to
bee wealthy； named Ricciardo Minutolo； who although hee had a
Gentlewoman of excellent beuty； and worthy the verie kindest affecting
to his wife； yet his gadding eye gazed elsewhere； and he became
enamored of another； which （in generall opinion） surpassed all the
Neapolitane Women else； in feature； favour； and the choysest
perfections； shee being named Madam Catulla wife to as gallant a young
Gentleman； called Philippello Fighinolfi； who most dearly he loved
beyond all other； for her vertue and admired chastity。
Ricciardo loving this Madam Catulla； and using all such means
whereby the grace and liking of a Lady might be obtained； found it yet
a matter beyond possibility； to compasse the height of his desire：
so that many desperate and dangerous resolutions beleagred his braine；
seeming so intricate and unlikely to affoord any hopefull yssue； as
hee wished for nothing more then death。
And death （as yet） being deafe to all his earnest imprecations；
delayed him on in lingering afflictions： and continuing still in
such an extreame condition； he was advised by some of his best
friends； utterly to abstaine from this fond pursuit； because his hopes
were meerely in vaine； and Madam Catulla prized nothing more
precious to her in the World； then unstayned loyaltie to her
Husband： and yet shee lived in such extreame jealousie of him； as
fearing least some bird flying in the ayre should snatch him from her。
Ricciardo not unacquainted with this her jealous humour； as well
by credible hearing thereof； as also by daily observation； began to
with himselfe； that it were best to consider for him； to dissemble
amorous affection in some other place； and （henceforward） to set aside
all hope； of ever enjoying the love of Madam Catulla； because he was
now become the servant to another Gentlewoman； pretending （in her
honour） to performe many worthy actions of Armes； Joustes；
Tournaments； and all such like noble exercises； as he was wont to
doe for Madam Catulla。 So that most of the people of Naples； but
especially Madam Catulla； becam perswaded； that his former
fruitlesse love to her was quite changed； and the new elected Lady had
all the glory of his best endevours； persevering so long in this
opinion； as now it passed absolutely for currant。 Thus seemed he now
as meere a stranger to her； whose house before he familiarly
frequented； yet as a neighbour gave her the daies salutations；
according as he chanced to see her； or meet her。
It came so to passe； that it being now the delightfull Summer
season； when all Gentlemen and Gentlewomen used to meete together
（according to a custome long observed in that Country） sporting
along on the Sea Coast； dining and supping there very often； Ricciardo
Minutolo happened to heare； that Madam Catulla （with a company of
her friends） intended also to be present there among them； at which
time； consorted with a seemely traine of his confederates； he resorted
thither； and was graciously welcommed by Madam Catulla； where he
pretended no willing long time of tarrying； but that Catulla and the
other Ladies were faine to entreate him； discoursing of his love to
his new elected Mistresse： which Minutolo graced with so solemne a
countenance； as it ministred much more matter of conference； all
coveting to know what she was。
So farre they walked； and held on this kinde of discoursing； as
every Lady and Gentlewoman； waxing weary of too long a continued
argument； began to separate her selfe with such an associate as shee
best liked； and as in such walking women are wont to doe； so that
Madam Catulla having few females left with her； stayed behind with
Minutolo； who sodainly shot forth a word concerning her husband
Philipello； and of his loving another woman beside her selfe。 She that
was overmuch jealous before； became so sodainely set on fire to know
what shee was of whom Minutolo spake； as she sat silent a long
while； til being able to containe no longer； shee entreated
Ricciardo even for the Ladies sake； whose love he had so devoutly
embraced； to resolve her certainly in this strange alteration of her
husband； whereunto thus he answered。
Madam； you have so straitly concured me； by urging the remembrance
of her； for whose sake I am not able to deny any thing you can demand；
as I am readie therein to pleasure you。 But first you must promise me；
that neither you； or any other person for you； shall at any time
disclose it to your Husband； untill you have seene by effect； that
which I have told you proveth to be true： and when you please； I wil
instruct you how your selfe shall see it。 The Ladie was not a little
joyfull to be thus satisfied in her Husbands folly； and constantly
crediting his words to be true； shee sware a solemne oath； that no one
alive should ever know it。 So stepping a little further aside； because
no listening eare should heare him； thus he beganne。
Lady； if I did love you now so effectually as heeretofore I have
done； I should be very circumspect； in uttering any thing which I
immagined might distast you。 I know not whether your husband
Philipello； were at any time offended； because I affected you； or
beleeved that I received any kindnes from you： but whether it were
so or no； I could never discerne it by any outward apparance。 But
now awaiting for the opportunity of time； which he conceived should
affoord me the least suspition； he seekes to compasse that； which （I
doubt） he feares I would have done to him； in plaine termes Madam；
to have his pleasure of my wife。 And as by some carriages I have
observed； within few daies past he hath solicited and pursued his
purpose very secretly； by many Ambassages； and meanes； as （indeed） I
have learned from her selfe； and alwaies she hath returned in such
answers； as she receyved by my direction。
And no longer ago Madam； then this very morning； before my comming
hither； I found a woman…messenger in my house； in very close
conference with my Wife； when growing doubtfull of that which was true
indeede； I called my Wife； enquiring； what the woman would have with
her； and she told me； it was another pursuite of Philipello
Fighinolfi； who （quoth shee） upon such answers as you ha