“Truly,” said Hircan, “the laws you lay down are over harsh.  If women, whom gentleness beseems so well, were minded to prove as rigorous as you would have them be, we men, on our part, would exchange our gentle entreaties for craft and force.”

“In my opinion,” said Simontault, “the best advice is that each should follow his natural bent.  Whether he love or not, let him do so without dissimulation.”

“Would to God,” said Saffredent, “that such a rule would bring as much honour as it would give pleasure.”

Dagoucin, however, could not refrain from saying—­

“Those who would rather die than make their desire known could not comply with your law.”

“Die!” thereupon said Hircan; “the good knight has yet to be born that would die for the publishing of such a matter.  But let us cease talking of what is impossible, and see to whom Simontault will give his vote.”

“I give it,” said Simontault, “to Longarine, for I observed her just now talking to herself.  I imagine that she was recalling some excellent matter, and she is not wont to conceal the truth, whether it be against man or woman.”

“Since you deem me so truthful,” replied Longarine, “I will tell you a tale which, though it be not so much to the praise of women as I could wish it to be, will yet show you that there are some possessed of as much spirit, wit, and craft as men.  If my tale be somewhat long, you will bear with it in patience.”

[Illustration:  155.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration:  157a.jpg The Lady taking Oath as to her Conduct]

[The Lady taking Oath as to her Conduct]

[Illustration:  157.jpg Page Image]

TALE XV.

Through the favour of King Francis, a simple gentleman of the Court married a very rich woman, of whom, however, as much by reason of her extreme youth as of the bestowal of his own heart elsewhere, he made but little account; whereat, after trying every plan to please him, she was so moved with resentment and overcome by despair, that she resolved to console herself with another for the indignities which she endured from her husband. (1)

     1 The incidents referred to in this story must have
     occurred between 1515 and 1543, during the reign of Francis
     I.—­L.

At the Court of King Francis the First there was a gentleman whose name I know right well, but will not mention.  He was poor, having less than five hundred livres a year, but he was so well liked by the King for his many qualities that he at last married a lady of such wealth that a great lord would have been pleased to take her.  As she was still very young, he begged one of the greatest ladies of the Court to receive her into her household, and this the lady very willingly did.