overing her Husband with the Waiting-woman]

[The Lady discovering her Husband with the Waiting-woman]

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_TALE LIX_.

_This same lady, finding that her husband took it ill that
she should have lovers with whom she amused herself without
hurt to her honour, kept close watch upon him, and so
discovered how pleasantly he addressed himself to one of her
waiting-women. This woman she gained upon, made her consent
to what her husband solicited, and then surprised him in
such error that to atone for it, he was forced to confess
that he deserved greater punishment than herself; by which
means she was afterwards able to live as her fancy listed_.

The lady of your story was wedded to a rich gentleman of high and
ancient lineage, and had married him on account of the great affection
that they bore to one another.

Being a woman most pleasant of speech, she by no means concealed from
her husband that she had lovers whom she made game of for her pastime,
and, at first, her husband shared in her pleasure. But at last this
manner of life became irksome to him, for on the one part he took it ill
that she should hold so much converse with those that were no kinsfolk
or friends of his own, and on the other, he was greatly vexed by the
expense to which he was put in sustaining her magnificence and in
following the Court.

He therefore withdrew to his own house as often as he was able, but so
much company came thither to see him that the expenses of his household
became scarcely any less, for, wherever his wife might be, she always
found means to pass her time in sports, dances, and all such matters as
youthful dames may use with honour. And when sometimes her husband told
her, laughing, that their expenses were too great, she would reply that
she promised never to make him a "coqu" or cuckold, but only a "coquin,"
that is, a beggar; for she was so exceedingly fond of dress, that she
must needs have the bravest and richest at the Court. (1) Her husband
took her thither as seldom as possible, but she did all in her power
to go, and to this end behaved in a most loving fashion towards her
husband, who would not willingly have refused her a much harder request.

1 As Queen Margaret was by no means over fond of gorgeous
apparel and display, this passage is in contradiction with
M. de Lincy's surmise that the lady of this and the