as to make them believe that he had quite suspected the plan, and had
only consented to visit the lady in order to furnish them with some
diversion, for, said he, he would not have taken so much trouble for
her sake, seeing that his love for her had long since flown. The ladies
would not admit the truth of this, so that the point is still in doubt;
nevertheless, it is probable that he believed the lady. And since he
was so wary and so bold that few men of his age and time could match
and none could surpass him (as has been proved by his very brave and
knightly death), (3) you must, it seems to me, confess that men of
honour love in such wise as to be often duped, by placing too much trust
in the truthfulness of the ladies.

3 This naturally brings Bonnivet to mind, though of course
the gay, rash admiral was not the only Frenchman of the time
who spent his life in making love and waging war.--Ed.

"In good faith," said Ennasuite, "I commend this lady for the trick she
played; for when a man is loved by a lady and forsakes her for another,
her vengeance cannot be too severe."

"Yes," said Parlamente, "if she is loved by him; but there are some who
love men without being certain that they are loved in return, and when
they find that their sweethearts love elsewhere, they call them fickle.
It therefore happens that discreet women are never deceived by such
talk, for they give no heed or belief even to those people who speak
truly, lest they should prove to be liars, seeing that the true and the
false speak but one tongue."

"If all women were of your opinion," said Simon-tault, "the gentlemen
might pack up their prayers at once; but, for all that you and those
like you may say, we shall never believe that women are as unbelieving
as they are fair. And in this wise we shall live as content as you would
fain render us uneasy by your maxims."

"Truly," said Longarine, "knowing as I well do who the lady is that
played that fine trick upon the gentleman, it is impossible for me not
to believe in any craftiness on her part. Since she did not spare her
husband, 'twere fitting she should not spare her lover."

"Her husband, say you?" said Simontault. "You know, then, more than I
do, and so, since you wish it, I give you my place that you may tell us
your opinion of the matter."

"And since you wish it," said Longarine, "I will do so."

[Illustration: 078.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 079a. The Lady disc