s
this gentleman did; for, as soon as he understood the reason of his
sweetheart's misfortune, he showed how truly he loved her and did not
spare his own life."

"Yet," said Ennasuite, "she died of true love, for her steadfast and
loyal heart could not endure to be so deceived."

"It was her jealousy," said Simontault, "which would not yield to
reason, so that she believed evil of her lover of which he was not
guilty at all. Moreover, her death was matter of necessity, for she
could not prevent it, whilst her lover's death was voluntary, after he
had recognised his own wrongdoing."

"Still," said Nomerfide, "the love must needs be great that causes such
deep sorrow."

"Have no fear of it," said Hircan, "for you will never die of that kind
of fever."

"Nor," said Nomerfide, "will you ever kill yourself after recognising
your error."

Here Parlamente, who suspected that the dispute was being carried on at
her own expense, said, laughing--

"'Tis enough that two persons should have died of love, without two
others fighting for the same cause. And there is the last bell sounding
for vespers, which will have us gone whether you be willing or not."

By her advice the whole company then rose and went to hear vespers, not
forgetting in their fervent prayers the souls of those true lovers, for
whom, also, the monks, of their charity, said a _De profundis_. As long
as supper lasted there was no talk save of the Lady du Vergier, and
then, when they had spent a little time together, they withdrew to their
several apartments, and so brought to an end the Seventh Day.

[Illustration: 213.jpg Tailpiece]

EIGHTH DAY.

_On the Eighth Day relation is made of the greatest yet truest follies
that each can remember_.

PROLOGUE.

When morning was come they inquired whether their bridge (1) were being
well advanced, and found that it might be finished in two or three days.
These were not welcome tidings to some among the company, for they
would gladly have had the work last a longer time, so as to prolong
the happiness that they enjoyed in this pleasant mode of life. Finding,
however, that only two or three such days were left, they resolved to
turn them to account, and begged the Lady Oisille to give them their
spiritual nourishment as had been her wont. This she forthwith did,
but she detained them longer than usual, for before setting forth she
desired to finish reading the canonical writings of St. John; an