Page 86 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

The Decameron discomfort." The King scoffed inwardly, doubting that a young woman On the appointed day, Bertrand reluctantly complied and married Gillette in
could possess the knowledge and skill that the greatest physicians lacked.
the King's presence. After the wedding, Bertrand, having already decided,
However, he acknowledged her good intention and said he had resolved
said he would go to his county to consummate the marriage. He took leave
to follow no more physicians' advice.
of the King but went to Tuscany instead, where he joined the Florentines
"Sire," said Gillette, "you disdain my art because I am young and a woman.
in their war against the Sienese. He was warmly welcomed and appointed
But remember, I rely not on my own skill but on the help of God and the
Distressed by this turn of events and hoping to bring Bertrand back to his
skill of Master Gerard of Narbonne, my father, a famous physician in his
day." The King thought, "Perhaps she is sent by God. Why not test her skill, to command part of their forces, remaining in their service for a long time.
county through wise management, Gillette went to Roussillon. She was
as she claims she can cure me quickly and without distress?" He decided received by the tenants as their liege lady and found everything in decay
to make the experiment and said, "Damsel, if you cause me to cancel my and disorder due to the lord's long absence. Being capable, she rectified
resolve and fail to cure me, what should happen to you?" Gillette replied, matters with great care, earning the tenants' esteem and love. They
"Set a guard upon me, and if I do not cure you within eight days, have me severely criticized the Count for not being satisfied with her.
burned. But if I cure you, what shall be my reward?" The King said, "You
seem to be unmarried. If you cure me, we will marry you well and in high After putting the county in order, Gillette sent two knights to Bertrand with
place." Gillette agreed, provided she could choose her husband, except a message, asking if her presence was the reason he did not return. If so,
for the King's sons or any royal family member. The King consented, and she would leave. Bertrand harshly replied, "She may do as she pleases.
Gillette applied her treatment, restoring the King to health within the I will return and live with her when she has this ring on her finger and a
allotted time. son of mine in her arms." The ring was one he greatly prized and never
removed due to its supposed virtue. The knights, seeing the harshness of
When the King knew he was cured, he said, "Damsel, you have won the conditions, returned to Gillette with the message.
your husband." Gillette replied, "In that case, Sire, I have won Bertrand
de Roussillon, whom I have loved since childhood." Giving her Bertrand Sorely distressed, Gillette pondered how to fulfill the conditions and win
seemed no small matter to the King, but he had pledged his word and would her husband back. She assembled notable men of the county and told
not break it. He sent for Bertrand and said, "Bertrand, you are now of age them all she had done for love of the Count. She concluded by saying she
and ready to govern your county. We have given you a damsel to wife." would not stay to cause his exile but would spend the rest of her days in
Bertrand asked, "Who is the damsel, Sire?" The King answered, "She who pilgrimages and pious works. She asked them to govern the county and
restored us to health with her medicine." Bertrand, knowing Gillette and inform the Count that she had ceded it to him and would never return to
that her lineage did not match his nobility, though he found her very fair, Roussillon. The men, moved to tears, repeatedly asked her to stay, but she
was disdainful and said, "So, Sire, you would give me a she-doctor to wife. was resolute. She commended them to God and, accompanied by a male
God forbid I should marry such a woman." The King replied, "You would cousin and a chambermaid, both dressed as pilgrims, set off for Florence.
have us break our promise to the damsel who asked for you in marriage There, she lodged in a small inn kept by a widow, living humbly as a poor
as a reward for our restoration to health." Bertrand said, "You may take all pilgrim and eagerly awaiting news of her husband.
I possess and give me to whomever you wish, but I will never be satisfied
with such a match." The King insisted, "The damsel is fair, discreet, and The very next day, Gillette saw Bertrand pass in front of the inn on
loves you well. We believe you will live more happily with her than with a horseback at the head of his company. Though she recognized him, she
lady of higher lineage." Bertrand remained silent, and the King made great asked the innkeeper who he was. The innkeeper replied, "He is a foreign
preparations for the wedding.
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The Decameron