Page 78 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron her suspicions. She spent the night thinking about what to say to him after be happy until I am avenged. Let me go; you have had your desire and
tormented me enough. Release me, I pray."
their encounter at the bagnio.
Ricciardo, seeing her distress, resolved not to let her go until he had made
At noon, Catella, with a single attendant, went to the bagnio. The woman,
primed by Ricciardo, asked if she was the lady to meet Filippello. Catella
peace with her. He soothed her with sweet words and entreaties until she
forgave him. They stayed together for a long time, to their great delight.
confirmed, and the woman showed her to the room where Ricciardo
waited. Ricciardo, overjoyed, embraced and kissed her, while Catella,
Catella found Ricciardo's kisses much better than her husband's and
converted her anger into tenderness. From that day forth, she cherished
pretending to be another woman, returned his affection in silence.
a tender love for Ricciardo, and they enjoyed many moments of solace
After a while, Catella, thinking it was time to confront Filippello, burst out together. May we all find solace in our own loves.
in anger, revealing her identity and accusing him of infidelity. Ricciardo,
delighted by her words, continued to embrace and kiss her. Catella's
anger grew as she compared herself to Ricciardo's wife and threatened
to expose him.
The Third Day | The Seventh Novell
Realizing the potential consequences if she left still deceived, Ricciardo
Storyteller: Emilia
decided to reveal himself. Holding her tightly, he said, "Sweet my soul, be
not wroth: that which, while artlessly I loved, I might not have, Love has Theobaldo Elisei, after being harshly rejected by his beloved, left
taught me to compass by guile: know that I am thy Ricciardo." Florence. He returned a long time later, disguised as a pilgrim,
and spoke with her, making his grievances known. He saved
Upon hearing Ricciardo's voice and recognizing his words, Catella was her father from the danger of execution. He reconciled with her
startled and tried to spring out of bed, but it was impossible. She attempted brothers and, in the end, wisely achieved his heart's desire.
to cry out, but Ricciardo quickly covered her mouth and said, "Madam, what
is done cannot be undone, no matter how much you cry out. If you reveal
this to anyone, two things will happen. First, your honor and reputation
will be ruined. I will deny luring you here by guile and claim that you came
willingly for promises of money and gifts. People are more likely to believe
evil than good, so I am just as likely to be believed as you. Second, there
will be mortal enmity between your husband and me, which could result
in one of us killing the other. If I kill him, you will never know joy or peace
again. Do not bring dishonor upon yourself and set your husband and me
at odds. You are not the first nor the last to be beguiled. I did this out of
love for you, and I am your most devoted servant. Your discretion in other
matters is known to me, and I trust it will be the same in this."

Catella, though angry and sad, recognized the truth in Ricciardo's words.
She replied, "Ricciardo, I do not know how I will bear the villainy you have 1985 HAND COLORED AQUA TINTA / AQUA FORTE
practiced upon me. Though I raise no cry here, rest assured I will never 29,5X19,5 CM. | 11¾X7½ IN. (IMAGE SIZE).
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The Decameron