ant
punishment. This merchant came with six hogsheads of excellent Rhone
wine, which the citizens, after afflicting him with stripes, spilt at
large upon the market-place. What fine shall we decree?'

"Then said the eldest _prud'homme_:--'The answer, saving your lordship's
grace, is simple. By our laws the payment must equal the market price of
the wine. As for the stripes--'

"'We need not consider them,' the Viscount interposed. 'Master Tibbald
here will be satisfied with the fine, and engages--that being paid--to
leave Ambialet by the way he came. Now, the wine, you say'--here he
turned to Tibbald--'was worth four livres the hogshead?'

"But here our merchant, perceiving his case to go so fairly, allowed the
devil of avarice to tempt him.

"'I said four livres to _you_, monseigneur, but the honest market price I
could not set at less than five and a half.'

"'Six times five and a half makes thirty-three. Very good, then, Master
Tibbald: if you will pay the Council that sum, its secretary shall make
you out a note of quittance.'

"'But, my lord,' stammered poor Tibbald; 'my lord, I do not understand!'

"'It is very simple,' said the Viscount. 'Our law requires that any man
bringing alien wine into the Viscounty shall suffer its confiscation, and
pay a fine equal to its market price.'

"The merchant flung himself upon his knees.

"'My lord, my lord!' he pleaded, 'I am a poor man. I have not the money.
I brought nothing save this wine to Ambialet.'

"'The day is breaking,' said the Viscount. 'Take him to the window.'

"So to the window they led him.--And I leave you, my children, to guess if
he rubbed his eyes as they looked out upon the market-place of Ambialet,
and upon his own mules standing ready-caparisoned before the door of the
Council-house, and, beyond them, upon the tall Maypole, and the King of
Youth, with his officers, fitting their ribbons upon it in the morning
sunlight.

"'But here is witchcraft!' cried he, spreading out both hands and groping
with them, like a man in a fit. 'Two good leagues at the least have I
travelled downstream from Ambialet--'

"His speech failed.

"'And still art face to face with thy wickedness,' the Viscount concluded
for him. 'Pay us speedily, Master Tibbald, lest Our Lady work more
miracles upon thee.'

"'My lord, I have not the money!' wept Master Tibbald.

"'Thou hast good silks and merchandise, and six good mules. We will
commute thy fine for