The second chapter of 'The Decameron' takes a subtle leap backward in time, painting a vivid scene where Filomena awakens, battered and bruised, by the riverbank. She's a survivor of Licisca's treacherous act, having been hurled into the water and left to perish. The revelation unfolds that her dire condition upon arriving at the villa was not merely misfortune's doing; it was the aftermath of a near-drowning, a bandit attack, and the loss of every possession. With bandaged feet, she persevered through the elements, inching her way to the villa—precisely where our narrative left her, at the conclusion of the previous tale.
At the villa, Filomena's arrival stirs no welcome sentiments. Everyone assumes her poverty, a facade crafted by Licisca, who had usurped her identity and posed as her within the villa's walls. Yet, Licisca weaves a web of lies, claiming Filomena as her maid, reigniting their bitter feud. Dioneo intervenes, wrenching Filomena away from Licisca and expelling her, only for Licisca to relentlessly pursue, forging an uneasy truce. In this fragile alliance, Licisca boasts of her progress with Tindaro, suggesting their union could solidify their futures. Reluctantly, Filomena concedes, and they strike a deal to swap roles yet again.
Amidst their whispers, the house echoes with a different urgency. Sirisco, the house servant, and Stratilia, the cook, hastily dispose of the cardinal's lifeless body over the garden wall, their actions a grim aftermath of Licisca's earlier killing. Back inside, the women tremble with fear, realizing their villa stands vulnerable, unguarded, and their nerves frayed from the armed bandits' violent intrusion.
Pampinea's discontent echoes through the chambers, lamenting her unmet future husband, Leonardo, and the inadequacy of her bedroom for a lady of the manor. Misia and Sirisco, both privy to Leonardo's demise, devise a plan to gently break the devastating news to Pampinea the following day.
Neifile, a devout soul, finds herself unraveling in the wake of her harrowing encounter with the bandits. Even the soothing words of her husband, Panfilo, fail to mend her frayed spirit. In the dead of night, she rises, a restless spirit driven by unknown forces. She wanders to the kitchen, stealing a pig in a fit of desperation, only to stumble and plummet into the garden well. Her cries for help go unanswered in the silence of the night, fueling her belief that this is God's punishment for her transgressions.
The following morning dawned, and Sirisco meticulously prepared to escort Pampinea, accompanied by Misia, under the weighty news of Leonardo's demise. As they meticulously arranged the carriage's contents, Panfilo's heart was heavy with unease, searching far and wide for Neifile, who had mysteriously vanished since the previous night. His search led him to a surprising discovery – Neifile, seated at the bottom of a well, resolutely refusing his rescue, insisting that only God could be her savior.
Sirisco and Misia, with solemn hearts, conveyed the tragic news to Pampinea: her betrothed, Leonardo, was no more. The revelation shattered her world, for she had finally found love and the promise of a lifelong union. To mask their sorrow, the trio ventured out for the entire day, returning in the evening to feign a wedding celebration, with Pampinea assuming the role of the villa's lady, as if Leonardo's death were merely a fleeting dream.
Meanwhile, at the countryside abode, Tindaro sought to captivate Licisca with his profound knowledge of history, enlisting Dioneo's talents to serenade their reenactment of a bygone battle. But as Dioneo stripped off his shirt to immerse himself in the scene, Licisca found herself transfixed, her gaze unable to stray from his alluring form.
A misunderstanding arose, with Tindaro taking offense to Licisca's words, but Dioneo's quick wit diffused the tension, playfully suggesting that Licisca's true sentiment was an unconscious confession of affection for him. That evening, at the dinner table, Tindaro's attention was fixated on Licisca, oblivious to the fact that her heart belonged solely to Dioneo.
With Neifile still trapped in the well, Panfilo realized the urgency of intervention. He devised a cunning plan, hiring Dioneo to pose as a divine messenger, claiming that he had received a heavenly directive to rescue his wife. As the doctor tended to Neifile, his attire gradually disrobed in an effort to warm her, only to inadvertently ignite a spark of desire too intense for Neifile to bear. Overwhelmed by Dioneo's charm and frustrated with the monotony of her platonic marriage, she fled the scene.
As the day drew to a close, Dioneo retired to his chamber, unaware that Licisca was lurking outside. With a bold knock, she burst through the door, throwing herself into his arms. Yet, the question lingered: what would Tindaro's reaction be if he were to uncover their secret entanglement?
