The damsel presently became aware thereof and without anywise seeking to shun the stroke, began on like wise to love him; whereat Ricciardo was mightily rejoiced. He had many a time a mind to speak to her, but kept silence for misdoubtance; however, one day taking courage and opportunity, he said to her:
"I prithee, Caterina, cause me not to die of love."
To which she straightway made answer: "Would God thou wouldst not cause me die!"
This answer added much courage and pleasure to Ricciardo and he said to her:
"Never shall aught that may be agreeable to thee miscarry for me; but it resteth with thee to find a means of saving thy life and mine."
"Ricciardo," answered she, "thou seest how straitly I am guarded; wherefore, for my part, I cannot see how thou mayst avail to come at me; but, if thou canst see aught that I may do without shame to myself, tell it me and I will do it."
Ricciardo, having bethought himself of sundry things, answered promptly:
"My sweet Caterina, I can see no way, except that thou lie or make shift to come upon the gallery that adjoineth thy father's garden, where an I knew that thou wouldst be anights, I would without fail contrive to come to thee, how high soever it may be."
"If thou have the heart to come thither," rejoined Caterina, "methinketh I can well enough win to be there."
Ricciardo assented and they kissed each other once only in haste and went their ways.
Next day, it being then near the end of May,
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