“The love I bear her,” said Gianetto, “is such, that there is not the woman created that I would prefer to her, so good, so beautiful is she,” and so saying, he took the ring from his finger and presented it to the judge, embracing him. “I entreat you,” said the latter, “to do me a favor.”
“Mention it, I pray you,” said Gianetto. “Do not stay here, but return soon to your lady.”
“Indeed,” said Gianetto, “it seems to me an age since I have seen her;” and thereupon they parted. The judge stept into the gondola, and went in peace. Gianetto treated all his acquaintance, made them presents, and kept open house; then took leave of all his Venetian connexions, taking with him Messer Ansaldo, and many of his former friends, and set off for Belmonte. Most of those of both sexes he left behind, grieved much at his departure, so nobly had he behaved while with them. Now it happened that the lady had arrived several days previous, and had ordered great preparations to be made. The houses were all hung with tapestry; several companies of armed troops were posted here and there, and when Messer Gianetto and Ansaldo arrived, all the knights and barons, with the rest of the court, went to meet him, crying out, “long live our worthy lord!” and when he reached Belmonte, the lady embraced Ansaldo, and shammed a little coolness towards Gianetto, whom still she loved so dearly. Great rejoicings took place; tilting, sham fights, dancing, music, and singing among the ladies and damsels that were present. Gianetto seeing his lady did not look so kindly towards him as she was wont to do, went into his own room and sent for her. “What is the matter with you?” said he. “There is no occasion for this outward show of tenderness,” said the lady, “for I know you have found out your old favourite lady.” Gianetto began to exculpate himself. The lady said, “where is the ring I gave you?”
“Well,” said Gianetto, “what I anticipated is come to pass; I said, I was sure you would be displeased, but I solemnly swear to you, by all that is sacred, that I gave the ring to the judge that extricated Ansaldo from his difficulties.”
“And I swear,” said she, “by all that I hold most dear, that thou hast given it to a woman. I know it well, and thou oughtest to be ashamed to perjure thyself thus.”
“May I die this moment,” said Gianetto, “if I do not tell thee true; and, besides, I told the judge how it would turn out.”
“Thou might have stayed where thou wert, and have sent Ansaldo here by himself, and enjoyed thyself, among thy damsels, for I hear they all wept at thy departure.” Messer Gianetto began to be greatly distressed, and could not refrain from tears, saying, “thou swearest what is not true, and what could not be.” The lady, however, seeing he was in great agitation, and quite miserable, it went to her heart, and she ran to embrace him, laughing immoderately, and showing him the ring, and repeated to him every thing he had said to the judge, and how she herself had acted the part of the judge, and in what manner he had given him the ring. Gianetto marvelled at this account, but seeing it was all true, he began to feel relieved, and extremely pleased, and going out of the room, related the story to some of his friends, and the adventure increased their mutual affection, and thus they lived happily together, surrounded by friends, and not forgetting to pay all kind attention to Ansaldo.