et
transforms it into Borribaudier. M, Pifteau, after examining
the MSS., is doubtful whether Brimbaudier is the correct
reading. Bromardier, which in old French meant a tippler
(Ducange, _Briemardum_), would have been an appropriate name
for the individual referred to.--Ed.

One day it was told him that his good wife was sick and in great danger,
at which tidings he was in the greatest trouble imaginable. He went with
all speed to her aid, and found her so low, poor woman, that she had
more need of a confessor than a doctor. Thereupon he made the most
pitiful lamentation that could be, but to represent it well 'twere
needful to speak thickly as he did, (2) and better still to paint one's
face like his.

2 Curiously enough, the transcriber of MS. No. 1520
attempts to give some idea of the husband's pronunciation by
transforming all his r's into l's. Here is an example: "Je
pelz ma povle femme, que fesai-ze, moi malhureux?... M'amie
je me meuls, je suis pis que tlepasse... je ne scai que
faize," &c.--L.

When he had done all that he could for her, she asked for the cross, and
it was brought. On seeing this, the good man flung himself upon a bed in
despair, crying and saying in his thick speech--

"Ah God! I am losing my poor wife! What shall I do, unhappy man that I
am?"

After uttering many such complaints, he perceived that there was no one
in the room but a young servant-maid, passably fair and buxom, and he
called to her in a whisper.

"Sweetheart," he said, "I am dying. I am more than dead to see your
mistress dying in this manner. I know not what to do or say, except
that I commend myself to you, and beg you to care for my house and my
children. Take therefore the keys from my side, and order the household,
for I myself can attend to nothing more."

The poor girl had pity on him and comforted him, begging him not to
despair, so that, if she must lose her mistress, she might not also lose
her good master.

"Sweetheart," he replied, "'tis all of no avail, for I am indeed dying.
See yourself how cold my face is; bring your cheeks close to mine and
warm them."

With this he laid his hand upon her breast. She tried to make some
difficulty, but he begged her to have no fear, since they must indeed
see each other more closely. And speaking in this wise, he took her in
his arms and threw her upon the bed.

Then his wife, whose only company was the cross