In short he felt that while Anselmo's absence afforded time and opportunity he must press the siege of the fortress, and so he assailed her self-esteem with praises of her beauty, for there is nothing that more quickly reduces and levels the castle towers of fair women's vanity than vanity itself upon the tongue of flattery.

In fact with the utmost assiduity he undermined the rock of her purity with such engines that had Camilla been of brass she must have fallen.

He wept, he entreated, he promised, he flattered, he importuned, he pretended with so much feeling and apparent sincerity, that he overthrew the virtuous resolves of Camilla and won the triumph he least expected and most longed for.

Camilla yielded, Camilla fell; but what wonder if the friendship of Lothario could not stand firm?
A clear proof to us that the passion of love is to be conquered only by flying from it, and that no one should engage in a struggle with an enemy so mighty; for divine strength is needed to overcome his human power.

Leonela alone knew of her mistress's weakness, for the two false friends and new lovers were unable to conceal it.