and so particular a friend. Bellaria, who was the very pink of courtesy (being also willing to oblige her husband) entertained Egistus, with so endearing a familiarity, that Egistus, who saw the queen of such a virtuous and courteous a disposition, had a most particular esteem for her, and took great delight in her company, whilst she, when her husband could not be present, by reason of some affairs of State, would walk with him in the garden, where
she would entertain him with pleasant and diverting discourse, to his great satisfaction; but this great, familiarity between them, had very fatal effects for it is not enough to be always innocent in our actions, but we must likewise take care that they be free from suspicion. The want of such circumspection was a very great oversight in Bellaria and Egistus; for, though there was neither evil act nor evil thought between them, yet Pandosta, considering that his wife was most beautiful, and his friend Egistus a very brave and comely personage, began to imagine that their being familiar and intimate
