the damsel in the tree gives an account of herself.
very much did they all wish to know what causes had brought the unhappy fugitive lady into such a plight; and also the forsaken infant; but auristella thought it would be better not to ask any questions till the next day, because after a great fright, nobody feels much inclined to talk even of some pleasant event, far less of a sad one, and though the old shepherd often visited the tree, he asked its tenant no questions, except about her health, to which she replied, "that although she had every reason to be ill, she felt easy, because she had escaped from those who pursued her, who were her father and brother." the shepherd covered her up again, and returned to the pilgrims.
before they allowed themselves to seek in sleep a little repose after their fatigue, they settled with the shepherd that he, who had found a nurse for the babe already among the she goats, should carry it to the house of a sister of the aged shepherd's, which was about two leagues off, in a small village. they gave him the gold chain to take with it, and desired that it might be nursed secretly, saying that it came from a distant place. this was done, hoping by these means to elude suspicion, if by chance any one should return hither in search of the lost one. after settling these matters and satisfying their hunger, they suffered sleep to close their eyes and wrap their senses in forgetfulness. so passed the night, and day dawned brightly upon all, unless it were for the terrified creature in the old tree, who scarcely ventured to look out upon the sun's clear rays. nevertheless, having first, far and near, placed sentinels at different intervals to give warning if anybody approached, they persuaded her to come out of her hiding-place, and breathe the fresh air, hoping to hear something from her; and now, in the full light of day, they saw that she was very lovely, so much so, that it was a doubt whether to give the second place to her or to constance: auristella, of course, came first, for nothing in nature could ever be found to equal her. they prayed her much to tell them the cause of her distress, and she, willing to gratify their desire, after asking them to excuse her weakness, in a feeble voice thus began:—
"although, sirs, i shall be forced to reveal such faults in making you acquainted with my history, as will, perhaps, cause me to lose your good opinion, yet i would rather by obeying show my gratitude than seem unwilling to please you. i am called feliciana of the voice; my home is in a town not far hence; my parents more noble than rich, and my beauty, although now faded, has been esteemed great by some people. near the town where i lived, there lived also a rich gentleman, whose conduct and many virtues made him greatly esteemed and respected. he has a son, who bids fair to be the heir of his father's virtues, as well as of his wealth, which is very great. in the same village there lived another gentleman, who also had a son, more well born than rich, but possessed of a sufficient mediocrity, so as to be neither too humble nor too proud. my father and my two brothers wished me to marry this second young gentleman, turning a deaf ear to the entreaties of the rich neighbour, who asked me for a wife; but i unhappily gave myself away to him secretly, and without the knowledge of my relations. i have no mother, to my sorrow; we frequently saw each other in private, for opportunity is rarely wanting in such cases. from these secret interviews arose my shame, if it be shame, for two espoused lovers thus to meet; and at this juncture, unknown to me, my father and brothers agreed to carry into effect my marriage with the young gentleman of their choice; and so bent were they upon having it accomplished, that one night they brought him to our house, accompanied by two of his own near relations, purposing that the ceremony should take place directly. i was much surprised when i saw louis antonio, for that is the name of the young nobleman, and still more, when my father desired me to go into my own apartment and adorn myself with more than ordinary care, because i was to give my hand in marriage to louis antonio this very moment. now i was far advanced in pregnancy, and the time was nearly at hand which nature assigns for bringing forth a child. i felt as if i had received my death-blow at this most unlooked-for command, and saying that i would go and dress myself, i hurried into my own room, where throwing myself into the arms of my maid, who was the confidante of my secret, i cried, whilst my eyes were like fountains, 'alas, my leonora, i verily believe my last hour is come; louis antonio is waiting for me in the antechamber, to receive my hand in marriage. what condition can an unhappy woman be in, more utterly deplorable than this? have you no weapon with which to pierce my heart before i die of shame? alas, my friend, i am dying, my life is departing;' and then uttering a deep sigh, i brought into the world an infant, which sight so took us both by surprise, that all i expected was, that my father or my brothers should come in, and, instead of leading me to my bridal, should carry me to my grave.
"can you, sirs, conceive a more terrible situation than i was in this night—my intended husband expecting me in the parlour below, whilst his rival was waiting in the garden to speak with me, ignorant of the strait i was in, and of the arrival of louis antonio;—i, nearly senseless at the unexpected event; my maid greatly troubled with the infant in her arms; my father and brothers sending word to me to make haste, and come to these unhappy nuptials.
"it was enough to upset stronger minds than mine: i know not that i can tell you more than, that whilst i lay almost senseless, i heard my father say, as he entered my room, 'come girl, finish your adornments, or come as you are, and your beauty shall supply the place of rich attire.' at this instant, i imagine, the cry of the child reached his ears, which my maiden had contrived to conceal, or was giving it to rosanio, the name of him whom i had chosen for my husband. my father was disturbed, and, with a candle in his hand, came to look at my countenance, and perceived my state of dismay and confusion; the sound of the infant's cry seemed again to strike his ears, and drawing his sword, he hastened to the quarter whence the voice had proceeded. the sight of the naked weapon, and the terror that filled my soul, made me, with the natural instinct that prompts one to save one's life, endeavour to find a means of doing so; and, hardly had my father turned his back, when, just as i was, i hastened down a winding staircase to the lower apartments of the house, thence with ease i gained the street, and from the street, the fields, and then by roads, i know not where, i ran, impelled by fear, as if i had wings to my feet, faster than you could suppose my feeble strength would have allowed. a thousand times i felt a wish to throw myself into some river or pond, and end my life; and sometimes i felt as if i could lie down on the earth, and let any one find me who chose; but at last seeing the light from your huts, i tried to reach them, in hopes of finding some help and shelter for my misery, and so it happened as you saw, and so it is that i am now alive, thanks to your kindness and charity."
thus the unhappy feliciana ended her relation, which filled her hearers with surprise and pity. periander then described the finding of the baby, the gift of the chain, and all that had happened with the gentleman on horseback, who gave them.
"alas!" said feliciana, "if this precious gift should indeed be mine, and if it should be rosanio who brought it! perhaps, if i could see it, if not by its features, which i never looked upon, still, by the clothes in which it is wrapped, i might recognize it, for my maid could only have taken things that were in my room to wrap it in, which i should know again, and even if i should not, perhaps the force of nature would do its work, and a secret feeling speak to me, if it is mine."
the old shepherd said, "the child is in our village with my sister, and a niece of mine; i will send and tell them to bring it here, and then, beautiful lady, you can try the experiment you desire. in the meantime, calm your spirits, and i and my fellow shepherds, and this old tree, shall serve as clouds in which to keep you hidden from the eyes of those who seek you."
