f the orchard) in her
tale. Bandello imitated the same _fabliau_ in his _Novelle_
(1554; part iv. nov. v.), but gave it a different ending.
Belleforest subsequently adapted it for his _Histoires
Tragiques_. Margaret's tale may also be compared with No.
lxii. of the _Cento Novelle antiche_, p. 84 of the edition
of Florence, 1825.--L. and M.

In the Duchy of Burgundy there was a Duke who was a very honourable
and handsome Prince. He had married a wife whose beauty pleased him so
greatly that it kept him from knowledge of her character, and he took
thought only how he might please her, whilst she made excellent show of
returning his affection. Now the Duke had in his household a gentleman
filled with all the perfection that could be sought for in a man. He
was loved by all, more especially by the Duke, who had reared him
from childhood near his own person; and, finding him possessed of such
excellent qualities, the Duke loved him exceedingly and trusted him with
all such matters as one of his years could understand.

The Duchess, who had not the heart of a virtuous woman and Princess,
and was not content with the love that her husband bore her and the good
treatment that she had at his hands, often observed this gentleman,
and so much to her liking did she find him, that she loved him beyond
measure. This she strove unceasingly to make known to him, as well by
soft and piteous glances as by sighs and passionate looks.

But the gentleman, whose inclinations had ever been to virtue alone,
could not perceive wickedness in a lady who had so little excuse for it,
and so the glances and looks of the poor wanton bore no fruit save her
own frenzied despair. This at last drove her to extremes, and forgetting
that she was a woman fit to be entreated and yet to refuse, and a
Princess made to be worshipped by such lovers and yet to hold them in
scorn, she acted with the spirit of a man transported by passion, with a
view to rid herself of the fire which she could no longer endure.

Accordingly, one day when her husband was gone to the council, at which
the gentleman by reason of his youth was not present, she beckoned him
to come to her, which he did, thinking that she had some command to
give him. But leaning on his arm, like a woman wearied with repose, she
brought him to walk in a gallery, where she said to him--

"I marvel that you who are so handsome and young, and full of excellent
grace, have