In our city, rich in all manner of good things, there dwelt a young gentlewoman, fair exceedingly, and wedded to a most worthy and excellent gentleman.  And as it not seldom happens that one cannot keep ever to the same diet, but would fain at times vary it, so this lady, finding her husband not altogether to her mind, became enamoured of a gallant, Leonetto by name, who, though of no high rank, was not a little debonair and courteous, and he in like manner fell in love with her; and (as you know that ’tis seldom that what is mutually desired fails to come about) ’twas not long before they had fruition of their love.  Now the lady being, as I said, fair and winsome, it so befell that a gentleman, Messer Lambertuccio by name, grew mightily enamoured of her, but so tiresome and odious did she find him, that for the world she could not bring herself to love him.  So, growing tired of fruitlessly soliciting her favour by ambassage, Messer Lambertuccio, who was a powerful signior, sent her at last another sort of message in which he threatened to defame her if she complied not with his wishes.  Wherefore the lady, knowing her man, was terrified, and disposed herself to pleasure him.

Now it so chanced that Madonna Isabella, for such was the lady’s name, being gone, as is our Florentine custom in the summer, to spend some time on a very goodly estate that she had in the contado, one morning finding herself alone, for her husband had ridden off to tarry some days elsewhere, she sent for Leonetto to come and keep her company; and Leonetto came forthwith in high glee.  But while they were together, Messer Lambertuccio, who, having got wind that the husband was away, had mounted his horse and ridden thither quite alone, knocked at the door.  Whereupon the lady’s maid hied her forthwith to her mistress, who was alone with Leonetto, and called her, saying:—­“Madam, Messer Lambertuccio is here below, quite alone.”  Whereat the lady was vexed beyond measure; and being also not a little dismayed, she said to Leonetto:—­“Prithee, let it not irk thee to withdraw behind the curtain, and there keep close until Messer Lambertuccio be gone.”  Leonetto, who stood in no less fear of Messer Lambertuccio than did the lady, got into his hiding-place; and the lady bade the maid go open to Messer Lambertuccio:  she did so; and having dismounted and fastened his palfrey to a pin, he ascended the stairs; at the head of which the lady received him with a smile and as gladsome a greeting as she could find words for, and asked him on what errand he was come.  The gentleman embraced and kissed her, saying:—­“My soul, I am informed that your husband is not here, and therefore I am come to stay a while with you.”  Which said, they went into the room, and locked them in, and Messer Lambertuccio fell a toying with her.