Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/361

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OF THE FORCE OF TRUTH.
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nothing for these. But there is one other whom I have not seen; and her I love as my own soul." At last this girl was shewn to him. He protested that it was to her alone that he must owe his life. "Sir," said his friend, "I brought this girl up with the intention of making her my wife; and I shall obtain much wealth with her. Nevertheless, that I may preserve a friend's life, I give her to you with all the riches which should have fallen to my share." The sick knight, overjoyed at his good fortune, received the lady and the money, and returned with her to Baldac.

After a while, the knight of Egypt became so extremely indigent, that he possessed no habitation. "I had better," thought he, "go to my friend of Baldac; to him whom I enriched, and inform him of my wants." He did so; and reached Baldac a while after sunset. "It is night," said he to himself, "if I go now to my friend's house, he will not know me, for I am so poorly dressed; I who once used to have a large household about me, am now desolate and destitute. To-night, therefore, I will rest; and on the