Thus did Dorido bewail his mistress’s fate until day-break, when he repaired to her house, where every one was in the greatest distress and agitation. Valerio and his father seemed to be doubly afflicted at the sight of him, and they embraced each other almost drowned in tears. “Oh Dorido, my son,” said the old man, “my daughter is at the point of death, having lost so great a quantity of blood as alone would be sufficient to terminate her existence. Was there ever so unfortunate a father? Who can have been capable of committing so horrible an act? What punishment can console us under our present affliction?” “Sir,” answered Dorido, “suspend we our lamentations for a while, and let us think of one thing only which concerns us all. The author of this misery must perish; I will inflict on him an adequate punishment. But before I execute a revenge on him which shall astonish and horrify posterity, I must make myself what I now am not. Receive me, therefore, for your son-in-law; it will be more for the honour of us all that it should be said that Clorinia was avenged by her husband, than by her father’s friend.”
Both father and son accepted Dorido’s proposal most willingly. In fact, it was very honourable towards them, and very necessary to prevent the disadvantageous reports which might be circulated respecting their misfortune. The old man went himself to acquaint Clorinia with it, who, debilitated as she was from her extreme illness, shed tears of joy, and exclaimed, with transport, that “were she but the wife of Dorido, she could die contented.” She requested to be allowed to speak to him; and as she had then but little fever, it was considered that this consolation might be allowed her without danger; but no sooner did he appear at her bed-side, than she fainted from extreme joy. She was soon restored to her senses; but the surgeon, fearful of a relapse, would not permit the lovers to converse together. They were obliged, therefore, to express their thoughts by looks instead of words. Dorido, finding that his presence seemed to console the invalid, would not leave her the whole of the day. In the evening a priest and notary arrived, and the marriage was celebrated before three relations, who had been sent for as witnesses.