band's bed and went their ways. Now
Titus his chamber adjoined that of Gisippus and one might go from the
one room into the other; wherefore Gisippus, being in his chamber and
having put out all the lights, betook himself stealthily to his friend
and bade him go couch with his mistress. Titus, seeing this, was
overcome with shame and would fain have repented and refused to go;
but Gisippus, who with his whole heart, no less than in words, was
minded to do his friend's pleasure, sent him thither, after long
contention. Whenas he came into the bed, he took the damsel in his
arms and asked her softly, as if in sport, if she chose to be his
wife. She, thinking him to be Gisippus, answered, 'Yes'; whereupon he
set a goodly and rich ring on her finger, saying, 'And I choose to be
thy husband.' Then, the marriage consummated, he took long and amorous
pleasance of her, without her or others anywise perceiving that other
than Gisippus lay with her.

The marriage of Sophronia and Titus being at this pass, Publius his
father departed this life, wherefore it was written him that he should
without delay return to Rome, to look to his affairs, and he
accordingly took counsel with Gisippus to betake himself thither and
carry Sophronia with him; which might not nor should aptly be done
without discovering to her how the case stood. Accordingly, one day,
calling her into the chamber, they thoroughly discovered to her the
fact and thereof Titus certified her by many particulars of that which
had passed between them twain. Sophronia, after eying the one and the
other somewhat despitefully, fell a-weeping bitterly, complaining of
Gisippus his deceit; then, rather than make any words of this in his
house, she repaired to that of her father and there acquainted him and
her mother with the cheat that had been put upon her and them by
Gisippus, avouching herself to be the wife of Titus and not of
Gisippus, as they believed. This was exceeding grievous to Sophronia's
father, who made long and sore complaint thereof to her kinsfolk and
those of Gisippus, and much and great was the talk and the clamour by
reason thereof. Gisippus was held in despite both by his own kindred
and those of Sophronia and every one declared him worthy not only of
blame, but of severe chastisement; whilst he, on the contrary,
avouched himself to have done an honourable thing and one for which
thanks should be rendered him by Sophronia's kinsfolk, having married
her to