Page 58 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron him great distress and eventually made him seriously ill. might force her, but she would never consent to anything dishonorable.
Understanding Jeannette's resolve, the lady told her son that she would
Various physicians were called, but none could determine the nature of
arrange for him to be alone with Jeannette to win her over. However, the
his malady, and they all gave him up for lost. His parents were deeply
young man disapproved and grew worse. The lady then revealed her plan
sorrowful and repeatedly implored him to reveal the cause of his illness,
but he only sighed or complained of wasting away. One day, Jeannette,
to Jeannette, who remained resolute.
who was attentive to him out of regard for his mother, entered the room
while a young but skilled physician held his pulse. The young man gave no
live rather than remain single and die, decided to give Jeannette to him
sign of recognition, but his heart raced, revealing his inner turmoil to the
physician. Observing that his pulse returned to normal when Jeannette left, The lady and her husband, preferring their son to marry beneath him and
as his wife. Jeannette was overjoyed and thanked God for not forgetting
the physician suspected the cause of his illness. her. She still gave no other account of herself than being the daughter of
a Picard. The young man recovered, married Jeannette, and they lived
The physician sent for Jeannette again, and the young man's pulse happily together.
quickened as soon as she entered the room, confirming the physician's
suspicion. He took the young man's parents aside and told them that their Meanwhile, Perrot, left in Wales with the marshal of the King of England,
son's health depended on Jeannette, whom he ardently loved. The parents, grew in favor with his master as he matured. He became renowned
reassured by the prospect of their son's recovery, albeit troubled by the for his prowess in tournaments and jousts, earning the title of Perrot
thought of his marriage to Jeannette, spoke to him. The mother said: "My the Picard. When a deadly pestilence swept through the region, many
son, I never would have believed you would conceal any desire from me, perished, including the marshal, his family, and many kinsfolk. Only one
especially one causing you such suffering. You should have known that I of the marshal's daughters and a few servants, including Perrot, survived.
hold you dear as my very self and would do anything for your happiness. Recognizing Perrot's notable prowess, the daughter, with the approval of
God has revealed to me the cause of your malady: your excessive love the remaining survivors, married him and made him lord of her inheritance.
for a young woman. This love is natural at your age, and you need not be The King of England, learning of the marshal's death, appointed Perrot as
ashamed. Be not shy, but tell me your whole heart. There is nothing you the new marshal.
may require of me that I will not do to ease your suffering. Away with your
fears and tell me how I may help you in your love." Eighteen years had passed since the Count of Antwerp fled from Paris.
Now in Ireland, feeling the weight of age and hardship, he longed to learn
The young man, initially embarrassed, took courage and revealed his love the fate of his children. His appearance had changed significantly due to
for Jeannette, asking his mother to fulfill her promise. The lady, confident his suffering, giving him a vigor his youth had lacked. He left his knightly
in her ability to arrange the matter, encouraged him and promised to spare service and traveled to England, where he found Perrot, now a great lord
no effort. She then sent for Jeannette and gently asked if she had a lover. and marshal of the King. Grateful but cautious, he did not reveal himself to
Jeannette, blushing, replied that it would not be proper for a poor, outcast his son until he learned about Jeannette.
damsel in service to entertain thoughts of love. The lady suggested giving
her a lover to brighten her life, but Jeannette firmly refused, saying she The Count traveled to London, where he discovered that Jeannette had
would only love a husband given by the lady. married the lady's son, Jacques Lamiens. Overjoyed, he considered his past
adversity a light matter, having found his children alive and prosperous.
The lady, impressed by Jeannette's spirit, tested her further by asking if she Yearning to see Jeannette, he loitered near her house, posing as a poor
would deny the King if he sought her love. Jeannette replied that the King beggar. Jacques, seeing the old man and pitying him, invited him inside

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