“Go, my friend,” replied Bonnivet, “and may God be with you and preserve you from mischief.  If my company can be of any service to you, I am wholly at your disposal.”

The Italian gentleman thanked him warmly, but said that in an affair of this nature he could not be too much alone; and thereupon he went away to set about his preparations.

Bonnivet, on his part, did not go to sleep, for he saw that the time had come for revenging himself upon his cruel love.  Going home betimes, he had his beard trimmed to the same length and breadth as the Italian’s, and also had his hair cut, so that, on touching him, no difference between himself and his rival might be perceived.  Nor did he forget the felt shoes, nor garments such as the Italian was wont to wear.  Being greatly liked by the lady’s father-in-law, he was not afraid to go to the house at an early hour, for he made up his mind that if he were perceived, he would go straight to the chamber of the old gentleman, with whom he had some business on hand.

About midnight he entered the lady’s house, and although there were a good many persons going to and fro, he passed them unnoticed and thus reached the gallery.  Trying the first two doors, he found them shut; the third, however, was not, and he softly pushed it open.  And having thus entered the lady’s room, he immediately bolted the door behind him.  He found that the whole chamber was hung with white linen, the floor and ceiling also being covered with the same; and there was a bed draped with cloth so fine and soft and so handsomely embroidered in white, that nothing better were possible.  And in the bed lay the lady alone, wearing her cap and night-gown, and covered with pearls and gems.  This, before he was himself perceived by her, he was able to see by peeping round the curtain; for there was a large wax candle burning, which made the room as bright as day.  And fearful lest he should be recognised by her, he first of all put out the light.  Then he undressed himself and got into bed beside her.

The lady, taking him to be the Italian who had so long loved her, gave him the best possible reception; but he, not forgetting that he was there in another’s stead, was careful not to say a single word.  His only thought was to execute his vengeance at the cost of her honour and chastity without being beholden to her for any boon.  And although this was contrary to her intention, the lady was so well pleased with this vengeance that she deemed him rewarded for all she thought he had endured.  At last it struck one of the clock, and it was time to say good-bye.  Then, in the lowest tones he could employ, he asked her if she were as well pleased with him as he was with her.  She, believing him to be her lover, said that she was not merely pleased but amazed at the greatness of his love, which had kept him an hour without answering her.

Then he began to laugh aloud, and said to her—­

“Now, madam, will you refuse me another time, as you have hitherto been wont to do?”