Page 57 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

return for my great love, I pray you to grant me yours and have pity on my about nine, and the daughter, Violante, about seven. They proved apt pupils
youth, which wastes away for you like ice before the fire." and later showed by their conduct that they had learned their father's
lessons well. He changed their names to Perrot and Jeannette.
These words were followed by such a flood of tears that, although she
intended to press her suit further, speech failed her. Her eyes drooped, In London, they lived by soliciting alms as French beggars. One morning,
and almost swooning with emotion, she let her head fall upon the Count's outside a church, a great lady, the wife of one of the King's marshals,
breast. The Count, being the most loyal of knights, began to chide her mad observed them and asked the Count about their origins. He told her they
passion severely and to push her away, for she was now trying to throw were from Picardy and had left due to the misconduct of their reprobate
her arms around his neck. He swore that he would rather be cut into pieces elder brother. The lady, taken by Jeannette's fair and gentle demeanor,
than commit or abet such an offense against the honor of his lord. offered to take her in and see that she was suitably married when the
The lady, catching his drift and forgetting all her love in a sudden frenzy of time came. The Count gratefully accepted, parting with his daughter and
rage, cried out, "So! Unknightly knight, is it thus you flout my love? Now charging the lady to take good care of her.
Heaven forbid, but as you would be the death of me, I either do you to death
or drive you from the world!" She then disheveled and tore her hair and rent Having placed Jeannette with someone he trusted, the Count left London
her garments to shreds about her bosom. She began shrieking at the top with Perrot, begging as they went, and made their way to Wales. There,
of her voice, "Help! Help! The Count of Antwerp threatens to violate me!" another of the King's marshals maintained a great court. Perrot, joining
the marshal's son and other boys in their exercises, soon proved himself
The Count, knowing that a clear conscience was no protection against the a match for them all. The marshal, pleased with Perrot's bearing, asked the
envy of courtiers and doubting that his innocence would prove a match Count to let him have the boy. The Count, though loath to part with Perrot,
for the lady's cunning, quickly fled the room, the palace, and returned to consented, grateful for the opportunity.
his own house. He sought counsel from no one, but immediately set his The Count then resolved to leave the island and made his way to Stamford
children on horseback and departed posthaste for Calais. The lady's cries in Ireland, where he found a menial's place in the service of a knight. He
brought many to her aid, who, observing her plight, believed her story and remained there for a long while, doing the drudgery of a lackey or groom.
even embellished it, alleging that the debonair and accomplished Count had
long employed all the arts of seduction to achieve his end. They rushed to Meanwhile, under the care of the gentle lady in London, Jeannette grew
the Count's house with the intent to arrest him, and not finding him, they in years, beauty, and favor with everyone who knew her. The lady, unable
sacked it and razed it to the ground. to learn more about Jeannette's father, planned to marry her honorably
The news, distorted and exaggerated, reached the King and Prince in the according to her perceived rank. But God, in His providence, had other
field, who were mightily incensed and offered a great reward for the Count, plans, ensuring that Jeannette would not be mated with a churl.
dead or alive, condemning him and his posterity to perpetual banishment.
The gentle lady with whom Jeannette lived had an only son, whom
Meanwhile, the Count, troubled that his flight made his innocence appear she and her husband loved dearly for his rare and noble qualities. Few
as guilt, continued his journey, concealing his identity. Recognized by none, could compare with him in courtesy, courage, and personal beauty. The
he arrived with his two children at Calais. From there, he crossed to England young man noticed Jeannette's extraordinary beauty and grace, and fell
and, meanly clad, made his way to London, schooling his children in their desperately in love with her. However, believing her to be of low degree,
new way of life. He taught them to bear their poverty with resignation and he hesitated to ask his parents for her hand in marriage. Fearing reproof
to guard their true identities as they valued their lives. The son, Louis, was for loving someone of lower status, he concealed his love, which caused

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