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two Knights； hearing the impossibility of these two strict conditions；
with no other favour else to be derived from him； sorrowfully returned
backe to their Lady； and acquainted her with this unkinde answer； as
also his unalterable determination； which well you may conceive；
must needs be very unwelcome to her。
After she had an indifferent while considered with her selfe； her
resolution became so indauntable； that she would adventure to practise
such meanes； whereby to compasse those two apparant impossibilities；
and so to enjoy the love of her husband。 Having absolutely concluded
what was to be done； she assembled all the cheefest men of the
country； revealing unto them （in mournfull manner） what an attempt she
had made already； in hope of recovering her husbands favour； and
what a rude answer was thereon returned。 In the end； she told them；
that it did not sute with her unworthinesse； to make the Count live as
an exile from his owne inheritance； upon no other inducement； but
onely in regard of her： wherefore； she had determined betweene
heaven and her soule； to spend the remainder of her dayes in
Pilgrimages and prayers； for preservation of the Counts soule and
her owne； earnestly desiring them； to undertake the charge and
government of the Country； and signifying unto the Count； how she
had forsaken his house； and purposed to wander so farre thence； that
never would she visit Roussillion any more。 In the deliverie of
these words； the Lords and Gentlemen wept and sighed
extraordinarily； using many earnest imprecations to alter this resolve
in her； but all was in vaine。
Having taken her sad and sorrowfull farewell of them all；
accompanied onely with her Maide； and one of her Kinsmen； away she
went； attired in a Pilgrimes habit； yet well furnished with money
and precious jewels； to avoyde all wants which might： befall her in
travaile； not acquainting any one whether she went。 In no place stayed
she； untill she was arrived at Florence； where happening into a
poore Widdowes house； like a poore Pilgrime； she seemed well contented
therewith。 And desiring to heare some tydings of the Count； the next
day shee saw him passe by the house on horse…backe； with his
company。 Now； albeit shee knew him well enough； yet shee demanded of
the good old Widdow； what Gentleman he was？ She made answer； that he
was a stranger there； yet a Nobleman； called Count Bertrand of
Roussillion； a very courteous Knight； beloved and much respected in
the City。 Moreover； that he was farre in love with a neighbour of
hers； a young Gentlewoman； but very poore and meane in substance；
yet of honest life； vertuous； and never taxed with any evill report：
onely her poverty was the maine imbarment of her marriage； dwelling in
house with her mother； who was a wise； honest； and worthy Lady。
The Countesse having well observed her words； and considered thereon
from point to point； debating soberly with her owne thoughts； in
such a doubtfull case what was best to be done。 When she had
understood which was the house； the ancient Ladies name； and
likewise her daughters； to whom her husband was now so
affectionately devoted； she made choise of a fit and convenient
time； when （in her Pilgrimes habit） secretly she went to the house。
There she found the mother and daughter in poore condition； and with
as poore a family： whom after she had ceremoniously saluted； she
told the old Lady； that she requested but a little conference with
her。 The Lady arose； and giving her kinde entertainement； they went
together into a withdrawing Chamber； where being both set downe； the
Countesse began in this manner。
Madame； in my poore opinion； you are not free from the frownes of
Fortune； no more then I my selfe am： but if you were so well
pleased； there is no one that can comfort both our calamities in
such manner； as you are able to do。 And beleeve me answered the
Lady； there is nothing in the world that can be so welcome to me； as
honest comfort。 The Countesse proceeding on in her former speeches
said： I have now need （good Madame） both of your trust and fidelity；
whereon if I should rely； and you faile me； it will be your owne
undoing as well as mine。 Speake then boldly； replied the old Lady； and
remaine constantly assured； that you shall no way be deceived by me。
Hereupon； the Countesse declared the whole course of her love； from
the very originall to the instant； revealing also what she was； and
the occasion of her comming thither； relating every thing so
perfectly； that the Lady verily beleeved her； by some reports which
she had formerly heard； and which mooved her the more to compassion。
Now； when all circumstances were at full discovered； thus spake the
Countesse。
Among my other miseries and misfortunes； which hath halfe broken
my heart in the meere repetition； beside the sad and afflicting
sufferance； two things there are； which if I cannot compasse to
have； all hope is quite frustrate for ever； of gaining the grace of my
Lord and Husband。 Yet these two things may I obtaine by your helpe； if
all be true which I have heard； and you can therein best resolve
mee。 Since my comming to this City； it hath credibly bene told me；
that the Count my husband； is deeply in love with your daughter。 If
the Count （quoth the Ladie） love my daughter； and have a wife of his
owne； he must thinke； and so shall surely finde it； that his
greatnesse is no priviledge for him； whereby to worke dishonour upon
her poverty。 But indeede； some apparances there are； and such a matter
as you speake of； may be so presumed； yet so farre from a very thought
of entertaining in her or me； as whatsoever I am able to doe； to yeeld
you any comfort and content； you shall find me therein both willing
and ready： for I prize my daughters spotlesse poverty at as high a
rate； as he can doe the pride of his honour。
Madame； quoth the Countesse； most heartily I thanke you。 But
before I presume any further on your kindnesse； let me first tell you；
what faithfully I intend to do for you； if I can bring my purpose to
effect。 I see that your daughter is beautifull； and of sufficient
yeeres for marriage； and is debarred thereof （as I have heard） onely
by lack of a competent dowry。 Wherefore Madame； in recompence of the
favour I expect from you； I will enrich her with so much ready money
as you shall thinke sufficient to match her in the degree of honour。
Poverty made the poore Lady； very well to like of such a bountifull
offer； and having a noble heart shee said： Great Countesse say；
wherein am I able to do you any service； as can deserve such a
gracious offer？ If the action be honest； without blame or scandall
to my poore； yet undetected reputation； gladly I will do it； and it
being accomplished； let the requitall rest in your owne noble nature。
Observe me then Madame； replied the Countesse。 It is most convenient
for my purpose； that by some trusty and faithfull messenger； you
should advertise the Count my husband； that your daughter is； and
shall be at his command： but that she may remaine absolutely
assured； that his love is constant to her； and above all other： shee
must entreat him； to send her （as a testimony thereof）