Don Fernando had grown into friendship, he made all his thoughts known

to me, and in particular a love affair which troubled his mind a

little. He was deeply in love with a peasant girl, a vassal of his

father's, the daughter of wealthy parents, and herself so beautiful,

modest, discreet, and virtuous, that no one who knew her was able to

decide in which of these respects she was most highly gifted or most

excelled. The attractions of the fair peasant raised the passion of

Don Fernando to such a point that, in order to gain his object and