[032]
Salabaetto, the ardour of whose passion had in great measure
deprived him of the sagacity which the circumstances demanded,
supposed that the tears were genuine enough, and the words even
more so. Wherefore: "Madam," quoth he, "I could not furnish
you with a thousand, but if five hundred florins of gold would suffice,
they are at your service, if you think you could repay them within
fifteen days; and you may deem yourself in luck's way, for 'twas
only yesterday that I sold my woollens, which had I not done, I
could not have lent you a groat."
[033]
"Alas!" returned the lady,
"then thou hast been in straits for money? Oh! why didst thou
not apply to me? Though I have not a thousand at my command,
I could have given thee quite a hundred, nay indeed two hundred
florins. By what thou hast said thou hast made me hesitate to accept
the service that thou proposest to render me."
[034]
Which words fairly
delivered Salabaetto into the lady's hands, insomuch that: "Madam,"
quoth he, "I would not have you decline my help for such a scruple;
for had my need been as great as yours, I should certainly have
applied to you."
[035]
Quoth then the lady: "Ah! Salabaetto mine,
well I wot that the love thou bearest me is a true and perfect love,
seeing that, without waiting to be asked, thou dost so handsomely
come to my aid with so large a sum of money. And albeit I was
thine without this token of thy love, yet, assuredly, it has made me
thine in an even greater degree; nor shall I ever forget that 'tis to
thee I owe my brother's life.
[036]But God knows I take thy money
from thee reluctantly, seeing that thou art a merchant, and 'tis by
means of money that merchants conduct all their affairs; but, as
necessity constrains me, and I have good hope of speedily repaying
thee, I will even take it, and by way of security, if I should find no
readier method, I will pawn all that I have here." Which said, she
burst into tears, and fell upon Salabaetto, pressing her cheek upon
his.
